10 Heroes Lost, 10 Fires Burning: Inside Turkey’s Most Explosive Wildfire Week Yet

As Turkey mourns 10 lives lost in the Eskişehir wildfire—five forest workers and five AKUT search and rescue personnel—the nation continues its intense battle against wildfires in 10 different locations. The fire that originated in Eskişehir has now spread to Afyonkarahisar, driven by strong winds that hinder containment efforts.

According to the General Directorate of Forestry (OGM), while fires in İzmir, Gaziantep, Bilecik, and Bolu have been brought under control, flames still rage across several regions. AFAD (Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority) confirmed that 2,619 people have been evacuated to safety and damage assessments are ongoing.

Winds Fuel the Firestorm in Afyon and Eskişehir

The wildfire crossed into Afyon’s İhsaniye district, threatening Sarıcaova village, where fire crews and local farmers dug trenches overnight to block the spread. Despite efforts, high winds continue to spark flare-ups, even in previously stabilized zones.

Fires Controlled in İzmir, Gaziantep, Bilecik, and Bolu

Positive developments were reported in:

• İzmir’s Gaziemir (Sarnıç): Fire extinguished after 5 hours of land and air operations

• Gaziantep’s Şehitkamil (Cerityeniyapan): Controlled after a 6-hour response

• Bolu’s Mudurnu and Bilecik’s Gölpazarı: Fires now under control, with cooling efforts ongoing

Fires Still Active in 10 Hotspots

Uncontained fires persist in:

• Sakarya’s Geyve (3 locations)

• Karabük’s Ovacık and Safranbolu

• Eskişehir’s Seyitgazi

Authorities say fire intensity has weakened in several spots but suppression efforts continue with urgency.

Mass Evacuations: 2,619 People and 6,010 Animals Relocated

AFAD deployed 4,231 personnel, 45 aircraft, and 1,236 land vehicles to battle the blazes. Evacuations included:

• Sakarya (Geyve): 350 people

• Bilecik (Osmaneli): 1,105 people

• Afyon (İhsaniye): 58 people

• İzmir (Bayındır): 100 people

• Karabük (Safranbolu & Ovacık): 1,006 people from 14 villages

In addition, over 6,000 animals were moved to safe zones.

Damage Reports from Affected Regions

Preliminary assessments show widespread structural damage:

• Sakarya (Taşoluk): 2 homes, 2 barns

• Bilecik: 6 storage units, 1 house

• Karabük (Kamış Village): 8 structures, 3 warehouses, 2 barns, 1 hayloft, plus damage in 8 more homes

Karabük Governor Confirms 613 Homes Evacuated

Karabük Governor Mustafa Yavuz stated that 613 households in 14 villages were evacuated. He confirmed structural losses were limited to Kamış village, noting that evacuations were precautionary to ensure life safety. He cited rugged terrain and shifting winds as key obstacles for firefighting teams and added that simultaneous fires complicated containment.