Strong Winds Fan Izmir Wildfires in Turkey, Force Village Evacuations

  • 30/06/2025

Istanbul: Raging wildfires in Turkey’s Izmir province have continued for a second straight day, driven by strong winds that have forced multiple village and neighborhood evacuations.

According to Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumaklı, powerful winds reaching 50 kilometers per hour (30 mph) are fueling the spread of the fires in Kuyucak and Doganbey, prompting authorities to evacuate four villages and two neighborhoods to protect residents.

More than 1,000 firefighting personnel, backed by helicopters, planes, tractors, and water tankers, have been mobilized to contain the flames. Local news footage shows helicopters dumping water over smoke-covered hills, while ground teams fight flare-ups in rugged terrain.

Minister Yumaklı noted that Turkey’s western and southern coastal regions are increasingly prone to destructive wildfires as climate change drives higher temperatures and drier conditions. He stressed that tackling the fires has been made more difficult by the winds but confirmed that all available air and ground resources are being used to protect homes and forests.

Scenes from local outlets show helicopters flying repeated water drops and tractors hauling water tanks into hard-to-reach areas scorched by previous blazes.

Experts warn that Turkey’s Mediterranean climate is becoming ever more vulnerable to wildfires and are calling for stronger forest management, community preparedness, and climate action to reduce risks in the future.

As firefighters continue to battle the Izmir wildfires, authorities urge the public to stay alert and follow evacuation guidance as needed to ensure safety in affected areas.

Related News

Experts Warn of Hidden Sunburn Dangers as UK Heatwave Trigge ...
  • 28/06/2025
Dozens of Colombian Soldiers Held Hostage by Civilians in Dr ...
  • 23/06/2025
China Condemns UK Warship’s Passage Through Taiwan Strait as ...
  • 20/06/2025
Flights Cancelled and Villages Evacuated as Indonesia’s Moun ...
  • 18/06/2025
Cristiano Ronaldo Sends Signed Jersey to Donald Trump at G7 ...
  • 17/06/2025
Iran-Israel Conflict Escalates: Energy Sector Under Attack, ...
  • 15/06/2025
Iran Targets on US Will Face Devastating Response: American ...
  • 14/06/2025
Mass Arrests in Los Angeles as Trump Intensifies Immigration ...
  • 12/06/2025
Los Angeles Declares Emergency Amid Anti-ICE Protests; Feder ...
  • 11/06/2025
Protests Erupt in Los Angeles Over Immigration Raids as Trum ...
  • 08/06/2025
Six Killed, 80 Injured in Massive Russian Airstrikes on Ukra ...
  • 07/06/2025
Trump Bans Nationals from 12 Countries Citing Terror Threats
  • 05/06/2025