Firefighting crews in Turkey are battling intense wildfires, on Sunday, as the country endures a punishing heatwave, prompting the evacuation of more than 3,600 people from residential areas across two provinces.
Blazes that erupted in the southern provinces of Mersin and Antalya, as well as in the central province of Usak, have largely been brought under control, according to Agriculture and Forestry Minister İbrahim Yumaklı. However, wildfires continue to rage in the northwestern province of Bursa and the northern province of Karabuk, he told reporters.
One of the most concerning fires broke out yesterday in a forested area between the Gursu and Kestel districts of Bursa. Flames spread rapidly, forcing the temporary closure of a section of the major highway linking Istanbul with Izmir.
Massive flames engulfed forestland perilously close to residential zones in Bursa. Approximately 1,765 residents in the Kestel area were evacuated as a precaution. Yumaklı noted that over 2,000 firefighters have been deployed in the region, supported by six firefighting planes and four helicopters.
In the northern province of Karabuk, a fire that has been burning for five days has led to the evacuation of 1,839 people across 19 villages.
“We are going through dangerous times. This is unlikely to end in two or three days,” Yumaklı warned, citing the ongoing heatwave that continues to grip the country.
Temperatures across Turkey are forecast to soar beyond 40°C (104°F) today—6 to 12 degrees higher than seasonal norms. Yesterday, southeastern parts of the country saw the mercury climb to a sweltering 50°C (122°F), according to the Turkish State Meteorological Service.
The extreme heat, coupled with dry conditions, has exacerbated the wildfire threat, straining emergency response efforts as authorities urge caution and preparedness.