Wildfires sweep across Türkiye as heatwave, winds fuel flames

Wildfires have erupted across Türkiye amid soaring temperatures and strong winds, with blazes reported in Hatay, Manisa, İzmir, Aydın, and Muğla.

Firefighting teams are battling flames from both air and ground, as several fires threaten residential areas, Caliber.Az reports citing Turkish media.

In Hatay’s Antakya district, fires spread rapidly due to strong winds, prompting emergency teams to intervene as flames neared homes.

In İzmir, fires broke out in Menderes and Seferihisar, damaging houses and vehicles and forcing evacuations. Over 1,100 personnel and hundreds of vehicles have been deployed to the area.

In Manisa’s Akhisar, a fire burning for three days is being tackled by aircraft, helicopters, and dozens of fire engines.

In Muğla’s Bodrum district, a fire near Ortakent led to the evacuation of a shopping centre before it was brought under control.

Elsewhere, fires in Antalya, Mardin, Mersin, Osmaniye, and Aydın have been contained, though fresh outbreaks continue in parts of Adana and other southern provinces.

Health Minister Kemal Memişoğlu confirmed that 46 people are being treated in hospital, with one in a critical condition.

He said emergency health teams remain on the ground, working in full coordination with other ministries, and extended well wishes to those affected.

By Aghakazim Guliyev