Forest Fires Under Control in Turkey’s West, But Risk Remains High, Warns Minister Yumaklı
İzmir, Manisa, and Bilecik Wildfires Fully Contained: Turkey’s Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, İbrahim Yumaklı, has announced that several of the recent wildfires across western Turkey have been brought under control. In a social media update, Yumaklı confirmed that fires in İzmir’s Seferihisar and Menderes, Manisa’s Akhisar, Kula, and Saruhanlı, and Bilecik’s Vezirhan districts are now fully contained.
Additionally, significant progress has been made in Hatay’s Antakya and Manisa’s Ahmetli districts, where authorities are continuing cooling efforts to eliminate the risk of flare-ups.
High Wildfire Risk Expected in the Coming Week
While recent successes offer relief, Yumaklı also warned of an increased fire risk ahead. According to meteorological forecasts, the next seven days pose very high wildfire risk across Turkey. Dry weather, strong winds, and rising temperatures are creating dangerous conditions, especially in forested and rural areas.
The minister emphasized that Turkey is more prepared than ever, with what he called the “strongest air and ground firefighting force in the history of the Republic.” Teams are on standby to respond quickly to any new outbreaks.
Public Urged to Act Responsibly During Fire Season
Minister Yumaklı also issued a public call for vigilance and cooperation. He reminded citizens that Turkey’s forests — referred to as the “Green Homeland” — are a national heritage that must be protected together.
To prevent new fires, the public is urged to:
- Avoid burning stubble or lighting fires in or near forests
- Properly dispose of cigarette butts and all waste
- Keep fire extinguishing tools near farming equipment
- Immediately report any smoke sightings by calling emergency line 112
“Now more than ever, we must be careful,” Yumaklı said. “Even the smallest spark can destroy thousands of hectares of nature.”
