Massive wildfires sweep Western Türkiye: 21 aircrafts involved in Tekirdağ VIDEO

Firefighters across western Türkiye are battling multiple forest fires that have scorched vast areas of land and forced several village evacuations as strong winds continue to fuel the flames.

One of the largest blazes began in the Şarköy district of Tekirdağ on July 13 and quickly spread into the Gelibolu district of neighbouring Çanakkale province. The fire, which has been burning for more than 18 hours, is being fought from both the air and the ground, Caliber.Az reports, citing Turkish media. 

Authorities have deployed over 400 personnel and dozens of vehicles to the scene in Çarköy. A total of 21 aircraft were involved in overnight operations that helped bring the blaze under partial control in Tekirdağ.

Tekirdağ Şarköy'de başlayıp Gelibolu'ya sıçrayan orman yangınıyla mücadele gece boyunca sürdü.

Sabahın ilk ışıklarıyla birlikte 21 hava aracı da müdahaleye başladı.https://t.co/WMG3knelGm pic.twitter.com/uJxIzX9Kdn

— TRT HABER (@trthaber) July 16, 2025

Efforts resumed at dawn as high winds continued to push the fire across wide areas and over the provincial border. The flames reached several villages in Çanakkale, prompting the evacuation of Şenköy, Kızılcaterzi, and Kocali. Four people suffering from smoke inhalation were taken to hospital, officials said.

Tekirdağ Governor Recep Soytürk and General Director of Forestry Bekir Karacabey are coordinating emergency operations from AFAD’s Mobile Command Center in the region. Authorities are investigating unconfirmed reports that the fire may have been caused by a bird striking a power line.

Meanwhile, another major wildfire erupted near the village of Naldöken in the Ayvacık district of western Türkiye on the same day. Driven by powerful winds, the flames rapidly spread to the villages of Tuzla, Taşağıl, and Çamköy, raising fears for nearby homes and historical landmarks.

Ground crews from the Regional Directorate of Forestry worked through the night to contain the Ayvacık fire, and aerial firefighting operations resumed at first light with helicopters deployed to douse the flames.

Firefighters continue to battle dangerous conditions across the region, with hot weather and strong winds complicating efforts to bring the wildfires under control.

By Sabina Mammadli