A wildfire burned through the forest near Cavuslar village in Turkey’s Karabuk district on Wednesday, July 23, 2025. AP
Wildfires in Turkey have spread quickly and are now nearing the city of Bursa, the country’s fourth-largest city. Flames began raging overnight in nearby forested hills, lighting up the skies in red and forcing thousands to leave their homes.
Officials say 3,515 people evacuated villages near Bursa as more than 1,900 firefighters worked to stop the fire. One firefighter died from a heart attack. A separate incident killed another person and seriously hurt two others when their water truck crashed.
Bursa’s mayor confirmed about 3,000 hectares of land, including forest and farmland, have burned.
Dozens of Fires Burning Across Turkey
Turkey faced 84 wildfires on Saturday alone. The fires are worst in the country’s northwest, where thousands more have been forced to evacuate. Karabuk, another province in the region, has seen 1,839 people leave 19 villages since Tuesday.
A major fire in the southern region of Kahramanmaras also continues to burn. Officials warn that winds could make fires stronger again, even after they seem under control.
Fires Take a Toll on Lives and Land
In total, 15 people have died in recent weeks due to the fires, including 10 rescue volunteers and forestry workers who lost their lives in a single fire in Eskisehir last Wednesday.
Despite the danger, rescue workers have helped save thousands of animals, both farm and wild, left behind during emergency evacuations.
Turkey recorded its hottest temperature ever last Friday—50.5°C in Sirnak province. July has broken heat records in over 130 locations across the country.
Greece, Bulgaria Also Struggling With Fires
Fires are not just a problem in Turkey. Nearby Greece is fighting multiple wildfires as well. In the northern Athens suburb of Kryoneri, a fast-moving blaze forced police to evacuate 27 people. Some ignored early warnings, putting themselves and responders at risk. Three people were hospitalized due to breathing problems, and one firefighter was treated for burns.
On the island of Evia, now under control, local media report many animals died in barns as fire swept through farms.
Bulgaria Declares Disaster Zones
In Bulgaria, wildfires near the borders of Greece and Turkey led the government to declare disaster zones. Strong winds have made it difficult to stop the spread. The country is now facing 236 separate wildfires.
Officials asked for help from other European countries. Planes from France, Sweden, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia are expected to join firefighting efforts.
In the Strumyani region, fires overnight were so strong that firefighters had to back away until soldiers arrived to help. Nearby villages near the Serbian border were also evacuated for safety.
