Forest fires continue to ravage western Turkey for the fourth consecutive day, with the most severe blazes affecting İzmir, Aydın, Bolu, Muğla, and Manisa provinces. The scale of the disaster has escalated, forcing the evacuation of approximately 4,000 people across multiple regions. In İzmir alone, around 900 residents from five affected districts were evacuated overnight, according to Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya.The fires have consumed approximately 1,600 hectares of land, with 17 residential buildings destroyed and 78 people affected, 29 of whom required hospital admission. In the Karşıyaka district of İzmir, 87 homes and 45 businesses have been evacuated. The situation is particularly dire in Aydın’s Bozdoğan district, where the fire has spread to the border with Muğla province, destroying three houses, a barn, and a farm in Hışımlar Mahallesi, resulting in the loss of livestock and poultry.Firefighting efforts are massive, involving 90 aircraft, including planes and helicopters, and 4,717 personnel. However, strong winds, reaching up to 80 km/h in some areas, have significantly complicated efforts to contain the blazes. Agriculture and Forestry Minister İbrahim Yumaklı has warned of continued fire risks, stating, ‘We are in alarm mode until September 15. We urge citizens to be cautious and not light any fires.’ The cause of the fires is under investigation, with human activity suspected in some cases. Six individuals have been arrested on suspicion of starting some of the fires, including three people accused of lighting a picnic fire that spread rapidly due to the wind. As Turkey grapples with what appears to be its largest forest fire this summer, the ongoing nature of these incidents highlights the persistent challenge of wildfires in the region, exacerbated by current weather conditions and potentially linked to broader climate change trends.
Key points
- Forest fires in western Turkey have forced the evacuation of approximately 4,000 people across multiple provinces.
- The fires have consumed about 1,600 hectares of land, destroying 17 residential buildings and affecting numerous businesses.
- Strong winds up to 80 km/h are complicating firefighting efforts, which involve 90 aircraft and over 4,700 personnel.
- Six individuals have been arrested on suspicion of starting some of the fires.
Contradictions👾There are slight discrepancies in the reported number of evacuees, with some sources citing 4,000 and others mentioning 3,583.
The exact number of affected buildings also varies slightly between reports.
