A large wildfire burned through a forest near Cavuslar village in northwest Turkiye’s Karabuk district on Wednesday, July 23, 2025. AP
Fresh wildfires broke out Friday on Turkiye’s southern coast. Flames quickly spread near busy tourist areas in Antalya. Thick smoke filled the skies, rising above tall apartment buildings.
Emergency crews rushed to help. In Aksu and Antalya’s center, people left their homes as the fire came closer. Strong winds made things worse. Fire trucks and helicopters battled the fast-moving flames. One of the main coastal roads had to shut down.
More Cities Face Danger
Homes in Manavgat, a coastal city near Antalya, were also in danger. Locals joined firefighters. Many grabbed buckets and hoses to protect their houses. Police used water cannons, and city water trucks helped too. Everyone worked together to stop the fires from spreading further.
Disaster Zones Declared
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said Izmir and Bilecik provinces were now disaster areas. That means emergency help will reach faster. These areas are not at the highest danger level yet, but the damage is serious.
The minister shared that, between June 27 and July 24, people from 120 neighborhoods had to evacuate across the country. Over 12,000 rescue workers, including police, firefighters, and emergency teams, have been on the ground fighting the flames.
Thousands Left Homeless
In a social media update, Yerlikaya said fires destroyed or badly damaged 311 homes in the last month. To help families left without shelter, 85 temporary housing units have been built in three western provinces. These units are now giving people a safe place to stay.
Rising Death Toll
Thirteen people have died in the wildfires so far. This includes ten firefighters who lost their lives Wednesday in a major fire in Eskisehir. Their funerals were held Thursday. It’s a heavy loss for the country, especially for those working to protect others.
Heat and Winds Fuel Fires
The fires have worsened due to very hot weather, strong winds, and dry land. These conditions make it easier for new fires to start and harder to stop the ones already burning.
More Fires Break Out
On Friday, new fires started in Adana and Mersin, east of Antalya. In other parts of Turkiye, firefighters are still battling large fires in Eskisehir and nearby Karabuk. These blazes have been burning for several days now, showing no signs of slowing.
