Türkiye is grappling with a wave of devastating wildfires sweeping through the western provinces of İzmir and Manisa, and the southern city of Hatay.

Fueled by extreme heat, strong winds, and challenging terrain, the fires are threatening forests, local communities, and residential areas, with containment efforts ongoing.

In İzmir, fires that erupted on June 29 in the Menderes and Seferihisar districts entered their third day on July 1. Winds exceeding 100 kilometers per hour have driven flames rapidly through the Kuyucak and Doğanbey neighborhoods. Aerial operations, involving four planes and 10 helicopters, including an army aircraft, resumed at dawn, while hundreds of ground personnel worked overnight to curb the blaze. Several villages and neighborhoods have been evacuated, with 21 residents treated for smoke inhalation and one person rescued from the fire. Agriculture and Forestry Minister İbrahim Yumaklı, overseeing operations in İzmir, noted, “Due to strong and unpredictable winds, we’ve had to repeatedly restructure our response zones, prolonging the firefighting process. Teams are currently battling flames at eight active fronts.”

In Manisa, wildfires continue to burn in Akhisar, Ahmetli, and Kula. The Akhisar fire, now in its fourth day since June 28, saw night-vision-equipped aircraft operating overnight, supported by two planes and seven helicopters at dawn. In Ahmetli, fires that began on June 30 approached residential areas, prompting an intensified aerial response on July 1. Kula’s fire, ignited late on June 29, is being tackled with two planes, eight helicopters, and 43 firetrucks. Authorities have arrested a suspect in connection with the Kula blaze following a gendarmerie investigation.

In Hatay’s Antakya district, a fire originating in the Karaali neighborhood has spread to Ortakören and Üçgedik, leading to the evacuation of over 1,800 residents from 200 homes. As winds subsided after 24 hours, helicopters joined ground crews in containment efforts. A firefighting vehicle briefly trapped by advancing flames prompted an emergency radio call for support.In the southern province of Adana, a wildfire in a rural area scorched 250 hectares but was brought under control within 14 hours.

Firefighting teams across Türkiye continue to battle the blazes under grueling conditions, with authorities urging residents to remain vigilant as efforts to protect lives and property intensify. (ILKHA)