Türkiye battles 76 wildfires; key fires contained in Ankara, Antalya, and Bursa

Agriculture and Forestry Minister İbrahim Yumaklı announced that a total of 76 fires have been fought across the country, with 28 in forested areas and 48 in rural regions.

He confirmed that the Ankara Eymir fire is now fully under control, while the fires in Antalya Gazipaşa, Mersin Silifke, and Antalya Serik are largely contained.

Speaking at the General Directorate of Forestry’s Fire Management Centre, Yumaklı provided an update on the current situation. He stated that amid high-risk conditions, a fire broke out at 12:10 PM in the forested area around Ankara’s Eymir Lake near METU and was promptly tackled by air and ground teams. By 5 PM, the fire was brought under control.

Later the same day, a new fire was reported in Uşak Sivaslı, with firefighting efforts ongoing. Another fire, initially starting in a non-forested area in Antalya Serik, spread into the forest but was largely controlled by 8 PM. In Kahramanmaraş’s Onikişubat district, a forest fire covering a wide area is also being actively fought.

Kahramanmaraş Governor Mükerrem Ünlüer reported that the fire has affected approximately 400–450 hectares, with three houses destroyed and 130 people evacuated to safe zones. Six forestry personnel were hospitalised due to smoke inhalation.

The forest fire in Safranbolu, Karabük, continues into its fourth day, with the Karabük-Ankara highway closed as a precaution.

In Bursa, two fires broke out in Harmancık and Kestel and are currently under control. Due to the wind, the fire has spread toward Karahıdır village, which has been evacuated. Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu stated that over 500 personnel and more than 150 firefighting vehicles are deployed in the area.

Firefighting efforts are ongoing in Uşak Sivaslı, where some homes and livestock have been damaged.

The forest fire in Lice, Diyarbakır, has been brought under control, while fires in Zonguldak and Bingöl have been extinguished.

Minister Yumaklı and other officials urged citizens to remain vigilant against fire risks and to immediately report any signs of fire by calling emergency number 112. AK Party Deputy Chairman Efkan Ala also advised the public to rely solely on official statements and be cautious of misinformation spreading on social media.

State and local agencies continue to work together closely in combating the fires, with the situation being closely monitored.

Copied