Wildfires have engulfed Turkiye, threatening its fourth-largest city, Bursa, and forcing mass evacuations. Over 1,700 people have fled their homes, and one firefighter has died from a heart attack while battling the flames. The country’s northwest is under the greatest threat, with Karabuk province experiencing wildfires since Tuesday.
The situation is dire, with Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli stating, “We are going through risky times. This does not seem likely to end in two or three days.” The minister mentioned that 2,000 firefighters are struggling to battle the wildfire in the area with the help of six firefighting planes and four helicopters. Unusually high temperatures, dry conditions, and strong winds have fueled the wildfires, with the General Directorate of Meteorology reporting a record-high temperature of 50.5 degrees Celsius (122.9 degrees Fahrenheit) in the southeastern Sirnak province.
The wildfires have burned 3,000 hectares (7,413 acres) around Bursa, prompting the city’s mayor, Mustafa Bozbey, to confirm the death of a firefighter. Opposition parliamentarian Orhan Saribal described the scene as “an apocalypse”. The highway linking Bursa to the capital, Ankara, was closed as surrounding forests burned. Over 1,900 firefighters and 500 rescue workers are on the ground, battling the flames and trying to contain the situation.
At least 14 people have died in recent weeks, including 10 rescue volunteers and forestry workers killed in a fire in Eskisehir in western Turkiye. Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc said prosecutors had investigated fires in 33 provinces since June 26, and legal action had been taken against 97 suspects. The government has declared two western provinces, Izmir and Bilecik, disaster areas.
The situation remains critical, with fire crews across the country battling 84 separate blazes. The General Directorate of Meteorology has warned of persistent heatwave conditions, making it challenging for firefighters to contain the fires.