Türkiye Battles 342 Wildfires as Heat and Wind Fuel Crisis

Since June 27, Türkiye has been facing a nationwide wildfire emergency, with 342 fires reported across the country. As of July 2, six major fires remain active in multiple provinces, despite extensive air and ground operations led by emergency teams.

According to Agriculture and Forestry Minister İbrahim Yumaklı, the ongoing battle resembles a “frontline war”. “You’re facing an enemy that never rests,” he said, underlining the immense difficulty of suppressing fires amid extreme heat and unpredictable winds. Constant changes in wind direction have repeatedly disrupted containment strategies, opening up new fronts for the flames.

Provinces Hit Hardest: İzmir, Manisa, Hatay

The most prolonged and intense fires are centered in İzmir’s Menderes and Seferihisar districts, where blazes have raged for four days, and in Manisa’s Akhisar, Kula, and Ahmetli, entering their third consecutive day. A major fire in Hatay’s Antakya, active since June 30, prompted the evacuation of 240 households and the relocation of 2,500 residents. In the Karaali neighborhood, strong and erratic winds quickly spread flames to residential zones.

In İzmir’s Buca district, firefighters fully contained a blaze on July 2, marking a rare success amid ongoing efforts. However, other fires across İzmir, Manisa, Hatay, and Bilecik remain partially contained, with cooling operations continuing overnight to prevent flare-ups.

Arson and Accidents Spark Investigations

A man in Manisa’s Turgutlu district was arrested after allegedly setting fire to a tick-infested pillow, which ignited 120 decares of farmland and forest. Meanwhile, investigations into the causes of other fires, including one in Bilecik’s Vezirhan, are ongoing.

In Balıkesir’s Edremit, firefighters successfully controlled a blaze in an olive grove after four hours of intense operations. Authorities remain on high alert due to scorching temperatures and dry conditions.

Nationwide Warning Through Mid-October

Minister Yumaklı issued a nationwide warning, noting that high fire risk will persist until October 15, especially in the Marmara, Aegean, and Mediterranean regions. He urged citizens to avoid outdoor burning and to properly dispose of flammable materials such as cigarette butts.

Despite the crisis, Yumaklı emphasized Türkiye’s evolving capabilities, stating that the country has become a global model for wildfire response, thanks to advanced equipment and trained personnel. The current firefighting operation involves nine aircraft, 970 ground vehicles, and over 2,500 responders.