Wildfire continues for fifth day in Türkiye’s Bursa Air, ground response ongoing

A large forest fire burning between the districts of Orhaneli and Harmancık in Türkiye’s northwestern province of Bursa has entered its fifth day, with firefighting efforts continuing both by air and on the ground.

The blaze, which began on July 26 in a wooded area near Yakuplar neighbourhood in Orhaneli, spread towards Harmancık district, fuelled by strong winds, Caliber.Az reports, citing Turkish media.

Teams from the Regional Forestry Directorate and local fire brigades remain deployed in the area as containment efforts intensify.

Residents have also joined the firefighting efforts, using water tanks attached to their tractors to support emergency crews.

Several rural neighbourhoods have been evacuated as a precaution, including Dutluca, Ilıcaksu, Çamoğlu, Çatalsöğüt and Çakmak in Harmancık, as well as Yakuplar in Orhaneli and Gedikler in Büyükorhan.

Authorities previously detained a suspect in connection with the fire. Ufuk A. has since been remanded in custody by a magistrates’ court.

Efforts to bring the fire under control are ongoing, with teams battling both the terrain and weather conditions.

By Aghakazim Guliyev