BURSA: Thousands were evacuated as Türkiye battled multiple wildfires across the country on Sunday, fuelled by scorching temperatures amid a severe Mediterranean heatwave. Over 3,600 people were moved to safety from affected settlements in the provinces of Mersin and Antalya, as well as central and northern regions.
Authorities confirmed that most fires in the southern provinces of Mersin, Antalya, and Usak had been brought under control. However, flames continued to rage in parts of the northwestern province of Bursa and northern Karabuk, according to Agriculture and Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli.
One of the most critical fires broke out between the Gursu and Kestel districts of Bursa—an area central to Türkiye’s automotive industry. Footage from the scene showed large flames engulfing forested areas dangerously close to residential zones, while thick smoke blanketed the city skyline.
Emergency crews worked overnight to control the fire, which also forced the temporary closure of a major highway linking Istanbul with Izmir. Although some routes have reopened, firefighting efforts continue under challenging weather conditions.
Türkiye’s meteorological service warned of extreme temperatures, forecasting highs above 40°C in several regions—between 6 and 12 degrees Celsius above seasonal norms. In a historic first, temperatures in the southeastern part of the country reached 50°C on Saturday, marking the highest ever recorded in Türkiye.
Minister Yumakli called for vigilance and praised emergency services for their tireless efforts. “This is an unprecedented situation. We are coordinating across multiple provinces to prevent further damage,” he said.
As wildfires intensify globally, Türkiye is among the Mediterranean nations increasingly grappling with climate-related emergencies during peak summer months.
