Western Turkey’s Izmir Province Burns for Second Day Amid Devastating Wildfires — Over 1,000 Firefighters, Helicopters Deployed

Western Turkey’s Izmir Province Burns for Second Day Amid Devastating Wildfires — Over 1,000 Firefighters, Helicopters Deployed

Wildfires have continued for a second consecutive day in Turkey’s western province of Izmir, prompting authorities to evacuate residents from four villages and two residential zones due to the severity of the blaze.

According to Turkey’s Minister of Forestry, İbrahim Yumaklı, over 1,000 firefighters, helicopters, firefighting aircraft, and modern equipment have been mobilized to control the fires. However, strong winds in the Kuyucak and Doğanbey areas — reaching speeds of 40 to 50 km/h — are accelerating the spread of the flames.

Scientists attribute the growing frequency and intensity of such wildfires to climate change, with rising summer temperatures and prolonged droughts increasing fire risk in Turkey’s coastal regions. The same area of Izmir was also hit by a large wildfire last year.

Similar wildfire emergencies have emerged across southern Europe:

In southwestern France’s Corbières region, several campsites and a church have been evacuated due to wildfires, as temperatures soar above 40°C.

In Greece, forest fires near the southern coastal areas of Athens have led to residential evacuations.

In Portugal, red alerts have been issued across Lisbon and parts of the southern region, with the country’s Weather and Sea Institute stating that the warning will remain in effect until Monday night.

Izmir’s Adnan Menderes International Airport has also suspended operations temporarily due to the deteriorating situation.

Footage from Turkish media shows helicopters and tractor-powered water trailers being used by firefighters in a desperate attempt to contain the fires, but thick smoke continues to blanket the surrounding areas. Due to the extreme heat and airborne ash, some helicopters have been forced to temporarily land, creating further challenges in fighting the fires.

The initial blaze began on Sunday between Izmir’s Seferihisar and Menderes districts. Governor Süleyman Elban reported wind speeds reaching 117 km/h at the time, which significantly accelerated the fire’s spread. Five neighborhoods in Seferihisar have already been evacuated.

Residents of the village of Ürkmez are reportedly cutting down trees themselves to create firebreaks in an attempt to halt the flames.

Meanwhile, another fire broke out at a garbage dump just 13 kilometers from central Izmir in the Gaziemir area. That blaze quickly spread to nearby forests, igniting a car dealership and industrial facilities in the Otokent business zone.