Fierce Wildfires in Turkey Escalate, National Alert Issued; Thousands Evacuated Safely in Bursa
[Bursa, July 27, 2025] — Wildfires raging for several weeks in western Turkey have intensified alarmingly, now surrounding the country’s fourth-largest city, Bursa. Around 1,765 people have been safely evacuated, while 1,900 firefighters are relentlessly battling the flames.
On Sunday night, a sudden wildfire outbreak in the nearby mountainous forest area turned the skies of Bursa red. Residents from villages in the city’s northeast were evacuated, and the Bursa-Ankara highway was closed as the surrounding forests turned to ashes.
Trail of fiery destruction
Bursa’s mayor Mustafa Bozbey reported that a firefighter suffered a fatal heart attack while working to control the blaze. Approximately 3,000 hectares of forest around the city have burned.
Opposition MP Orhan Saribal, after visiting the site, described the situation as a “catastrophe.”
Nationwide severity of wildfires
Turkey’s Forest Minister Ibrahim Yumakli stated that firefighting efforts were underway at 84 locations across the country in a single day on Saturday. The wildfire has persisted for days in Karabuk province. Additionally, the government has declared Izmir and Bilecik provinces as “disaster zones.”
Record-breaking heatwave: Highest temperature in history
The Turkish Meteorological Department announced a historic high temperature of 50.5 degrees Celsius recorded in Sirnak province. In July alone, 132 locations set new maximum temperature records.
Previously, the highest recorded temperature was 49.5 degrees Celsius in August 2023 — this new heat record has further intensified the severity of the wildfires.
Casualties and investigation
At least 14 people have died in the wildfires over the past few weeks. Among them, 10 volunteers and forest workers burned to death in the Eskisehir area.
Justice Minister Ilmaz Tunc stated that since June 26, wildfire incidents have been investigated in 33 provinces nationwide, and legal action has been taken against 97 suspects. Some fire outbreaks are suspected to be caused by human negligence or deliberate actions.
