Turkey Fights to Last Major Blaze Inland From Bodrum
Authorities said 169 fires were fought this week and 65 structures were severely damaged or destroyed as crews battled one blaze near Bodrum.
- On Friday, July 31, 2026, five wildfires continued burning across Turkey's western and southern coasts, though authorities successfully brought 202 of 206 fires recorded since Wednesday under control.
- Increasingly severe wildfires have plagued Turkey in recent years, driven by drought. Heavy winter rains previously protected vegetation, but current high temperatures and strong winds have now created dangerous conditions.
- The General Directorate of Forestry deployed 28 aircraft, 119 helicopters, and 1,953 fire trucks, operating from more than 1,600 positions to manage 22,587 hectares ravaged this year.
- Environment Minister Murat Kurum reported 65 buildings sustained severe damage, mostly in Antalya and Mugla. Evacuated resident Arzu Celep told media, "We have turned to ashes, we have nothing left."
- Agriculture and Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli warned the fire risk will extend into next week. "Our intervention will continue until every problem has been resolved," Yumakli said.
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Five wildfires still burn in Turkey as risk extends into next week
Of 206 fires recorded since Wednesday, 202 had been brought under control by Friday, but some remained active across western and southern coasts, with high temperatures and strong winds forecast to persist across 10 provinces.
While forest fires continue in many cities across Turkey, the amount of forested area lost in recent years is increasing. Drawing attention to rising global temperatures and the lack of effective forestry policies, Professor Dr. Erdoğan Atmış stated on Cumhuriyet TV, "Forest fires have increased sevenfold in six years. Forests are being occupied by the state."
Turkey fights to last major blaze inland from Bodrum
On Thursday evening, Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli said six fires were still raging but by Friday, five of them had been brought largely under control. But with strong winds still affecting the region, authorities were on alert in case any reignited. On Thursday, Yumakli said firefighters had tackled 169 fires this week. Of that number, only one was still raging in the Cine area, about 100 kilometres (60 miles) inland from the resort city o…
Here are the latest developments on Friday on the fire front in Europe, where the forests ignite all the more easily as the vegetation and soils are very dry, a drought accentuated by the exceptional heat waves of June and July.
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