Turkey Evacuates Over 50,000 as Wildfires Devastate Izmir Province and Beyond
Turkey has launched a massive emergency response as wildfires continue to rage across multiple regions, with over 50,000 people evacuated—mostly from the western province of Izmir—amid rapidly spreading flames and powerful winds.
The Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) confirmed Monday that residents from 41 settlements have been temporarily relocated to safer areas, with Seferihisar district accounting for the largest displacement. Located approximately 50 kilometers southwest of the coastal city of Izmir, Seferihisar has borne the brunt of the fires since they erupted Sunday, fanned by winds reaching speeds of up to 120 kilometers per hour.
Also Read:
According to AFAD, more than 42,000 people were evacuated from Seferihisar alone. Television footage showed dramatic scenes of forests engulfed in flames and thick plumes of smoke darkening the skies. At least 20 homes were destroyed overnight, their charred remains visible in footage broadcast by local media.
In nearby Urkmez, residents scrambled to protect their properties by cutting down trees to form makeshift firebreaks. Despite these efforts, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli reported that intense winds were still complicating firefighting operations on Monday.
More than 1,000 personnel have been deployed in the affected zones, supported by four aircraft, 14 helicopters, and over 100 fire trucks. The Turkish State Meteorological Service had earlier warned of high wind conditions, raising the risk of wildfire spread.
The emergency response is not limited to Izmir. Around 3,000 residents were evacuated from Manisa, located 40 kilometers to the north, while another 1,500 fled fires near the southern city of Antakya in Hatay province, where helicopters and over 200 fire engines are working to contain the blaze.
An additional 850 people were evacuated from separate fires in northwestern Turkey. Flights at Izmir airport, which were suspended briefly on Sunday due to smoke and safety concerns, have since resumed normal operations.
Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc confirmed that one individual has been arrested for allegedly starting a fire in the Izmir region. The suspect is accused of igniting their own residence using gasoline, which then spread to surrounding forests.
According to the Agriculture and Forestry Ministry, 263 wildfires have broken out across Turkey since Friday. While 259 have been brought under control, efforts to extinguish the remaining four are ongoing.
Data from the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS) indicates that nearly 19,000 hectares of land have already been scorched in Turkey this year. Environmental experts warn that climate change is contributing to the increased frequency and intensity of such disasters, urging Turkish authorities to adopt stronger preventive and mitigation strategies in the face of a growing environmental crisis.
Read all the Breaking News Live on pakistantimes.com and Get Latest English News & Updates from Pakistan Times. Follow us on Whatsapp channel for more.
