Coast to coast wildfires engulf Türkiye

By Abdul Hamid Chohan

BURSA, Türkiye (MNTV) – Wildfires driven by searing temperatures and strong winds ravaged Türkiye causing deaths, injuries and forcing hundreds of residents and tourists to flee the flames.

Two fires broke out in Türkiye’s western province of Bursa over the weekend, filling the skies of two major towns with smoke. Three volunteer firefighters died when their water tanker truck fell off a cliff, and another passed away from a heart attack, DHA news agency reported. Last week, 10 forest workers and rescue volunteers were killed while fighting wildfires in Türkiye’s Eskisehir province.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has convened his cabinet on Monday to discuss Turkey’s response to the blazes. While wildfires have always affected the region, climate change is making them more common by causing hotter, drier and more fire-prone weather across Europe.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also emphasized the country’s round-the-clock mobilization in the fight against wildfires, stressing that Türkiye remains on high alert to protect its “Green Homeland.”

In a statement shared on X, Erdogan said the nation is waging a comprehensive battle against wildfires both from the air and on the ground.

“We are maintaining constant vigilance with 27 aircraft, 105 helicopters, nearly 6,000 ground vehicles, 25,000 heroic forestry personnel, and 132,000 volunteers,” he noted.

Since the beginning of summer, 3,062 wildfires have been fully extinguished, the president said, expressing hope for good news soon from ongoing firefighting efforts in several regions of the country.

“I extend my heartfelt gratitude to our brave personnel who put their hearts into this struggle and work tirelessly on the front lines,” he said.

“May God grant success to these heroes. I also pray for the souls of all our brothers and sisters who lost their lives while fighting these fires. May they rest in peace.”

Authorities urge nationwide vigilance after 84 fires erupt in various provinces, forcing thousands to flee and triggering large-scale damage assessments

The General Directorate of Forestry, supported by all relevant institutions under the Türkiye Disaster Response Plan, is leading firefighting operations both by air and land in high-risk provinces, including Karabuk, Bursa, Antalya, Mersin, Ankara, and Kahramanmaras.

Türkiye’s Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced that Bilecik and İzmir, which have been struggling with fires for days, have been declared “Disaster Areas Affecting General Life.” Minister Yerlikaya stated, “A total of 85 containers have been set up in 3 of our provinces: 56 in İzmir, 26 in Bilecik, and 3 in Sakarya. A total of 128 million 492 thousand 242 TL has been sent by AFAD to cover the damages caused by the fires.”

Yerlikaya also provided information about those who have been processed regarding the forest fires that occurred between May 1 and July 24. Accordingly, 25 people were arrested in connection with 184 forest fires that occurred in 34 provinces by the General Command of Gendarmerie; judicial control decisions were issued for 47 others. The General Directorate of Security arrested 2 people in connection with 56 forest fires; judicial control decisions were issued for 2 others.

Yerlikaya stated that citizens living in residential areas where the fire danger has passed have been allowed to return, saying, “Due to the fires; 1,157 buildings and 1,458 independent sections were examined in 9 provinces, and it was determined that 311 residences, 16 workplaces, and 50 barns were destroyed or heavily damaged.”

“Yesterday, we fought 84 fires across the country, 36 in forested areas and 48 in non-forest areas,” Agriculture and Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli said. He warned that wildfire risks remain elevated across the country.

“We are going through high-risk days when it comes to forest fires. Not only we, but also our citizens must remain on high alert until October 2025,” he said.

Yumakli noted that Türkiye’s southern Marmara, northern Aegean, western Black Sea, and interior Aegean regions are currently under critical risk. “We’ve positioned our resources accordingly,” he added.

A fire broke out for an undetermined reason in forested areas in Kurşunlu Neighborhood of Aksu district, Güzeloba Neighborhood of Muratpaşa district, and Güzelyalı Neighborhood of Manavgat district in Antalya. As the flames reached residential areas, many houses were evacuated with announcements made by police teams. The fires in the 3 districts were brought under control with the intervention of the teams.

After the fires in Aksu, Muratpaşa, and Manavgat were brought under control, new forest fires broke out near the ancient city of Perge in Aksu district and in Doğanca Neighborhood of Gazipaşa. Teams dispatched to the scene are continuing to intervene in the flames. Antalya Governor Hulusi Şahin also arrived at the scene to monitor the extinguishing efforts.

A fire broke out for an undetermined reason in the agricultural area in Eskihisar Neighborhood of Yatağan district in Muğla. Upon notification, air and ground vehicles belonging to the Muğla Forest Regional Directorate were dispatched to the area. Teams are working to bring the fire under control in an area close to the Yatağan-Milas highway.

In the forested area near Gökdere Neighborhood in the Buca district of İzmir, a fire broke out for an undetermined reason. To extinguish the fire, 4 planes, 5 helicopters, 15 fire trucks, 7 water supply vehicles, and 4 bulldozers from the İzmir Regional Directorate of Forestry were dispatched to the area along with firefighting teams. The fire was brought under control with the intervention of the teams from the air and ground. The teams’ work in the area is ongoing.

Between July 20 and 26, fires in 10 provinces forced the precautionary evacuation of 53 residential areas. Residents have since been allowed to return.

In its latest update, AFAD said 8,269 livestock animals—both small and large—were relocated from at-risk areas in Afyonkarahisar, Bilecik, Eskisehir, Antalya, Usak, Sakarya, and Karabuk.

Damage assessments were conducted in Karabuk, Sakarya, Bilecik, Antalya, Mersin, Usak, and Kahramanmaras, covering 56 homes,

In Bursa province, wildfires broke out across multiple districts, including Orhaneli, Kestel, and Gursu. The rapidly moving flames prompted the evacuation of over 1,700 residents. A water tanker heading to the fire zone overturned, resulting in the deaths of three emergency personnel.

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya confirmed that one individual found with a can of gasoline near a fire site was taken into custody, raising suspicions of sabotage. Authorities briefly closed a section of the Ankara-bound highway to protect public safety, later reopening it as the fire showed signs of stabilizing.

Surveillance and suppression efforts continue in the province, where several fire zones are still considered high-risk.

In Karabuk’s historic Safranbolu district, firefighting teams have been struggling for days to contain a forest fire that has already forced the evacuation of 19 villages. The blaze, fanned by shifting wind patterns, led to the temporary closure of the Karabuk-Ankara highway. Although it has since reopened, traffic is under close control.

Ground and aerial teams remain in the field as the fire threatens nearby residential areas, with efforts concentrated on holding the fireline.

In the rural Camlibel district of Kahramanmaras, a wildfire destroyed several homes and forced the evacuation of at least 23 others. Emergency units responded with 38 water trucks and multiple bulldozers, while local fire brigades worked to stop the spread.

Though the cause of the fire is still unclear, four people received medical treatment for smoke inhalation, and approximately 130 residents were relocated to safe zones.

Likewise, a fast-spreading fire in Bingol’s Genc district has been extinguished following swift intervention.

While many fires have been contained, rural areas of Usak province remain at risk in the Aegean region.

Residents from several villages have been evacuated, and air and ground teams are actively working to suppress ongoing fires with helicopters and heavy machinery.

Turkish citizens remain curious and concerned over the tremendous number of wildfires erupting simultaneously as authorities have apprehended several people suspected of arson across the country.

The Turkish government has called on the nation to remain vigilant against any suspicious activities.