Turkiye’s wildfire season intensifies; crews struggle as winds spread flames in Hatay, İzmir

Wildfires are raging across Turkiye, forcing more than 50,000 people to evacuate their homes. The blazes, which have been burning for three days, have swept through forests from Izmir in the west to Hatay in the south. Strong winds and record-breaking heat are exacerbating the situation, challenging firefighting efforts. In Izmir, 42,000 residents were evacuated as flames approached coastal towns, while Hatay, still recovering from devastating earthquakes in 2023, faces a new crisis. The Turkish government has mobilised significant resources, including aircraft, helicopters, and thousands of forestry workers, to combat the fires. With over 1,500 wildfires recorded since June 1, authorities are investigating potential cases of arson and negligence, while also linking the surge to climate change-induced hotter, drier summers.

Al Jazeera's Sinem Koseoglu reports from Turkiye.

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Post from Al Jazeera on July 01, 2025

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