Forestry Minister Shares Final Wildfire Update & Identifies High‑Risk Regions
Agriculture and Forestry Minister İbrahim Yumaklı has shared a comprehensive update on Turkey’s ongoing forest fire crisis. As of July 27, five fires – in Mersin, Uşak, and three districts in Antalya – have been brought largely under control, with cooling operations ongoing to prevent flare‑ups due to residual heat and wind
Active Blazes Still Burning
Fires remain actively burning in the following areas:
- Bursa – Kestel & Gürsu: A severe wildfire ignited around 17:30 on July 26 in the wooded area between Gürsu and Kestel districts. Fueled by strong winds, it quickly spread and threatened nearby villages. The Bursa‑Ankara highway was closed, and evacuations took place in Karahıdır, Iğdır, and Avdancık neighborhoods, totaling around 1,765 residents. More than 1,100 firefighters, helicopters, aircraft, water tankers, and specialized vehicles are combating the blaze. By morning, the fire had scorched approximately 3,000 hectares. Minister Yumaklı described the situation in Bursa as improving, noting that smoke remains visible but better news is expected by late afternoon given no sudden weather changes.
- Karabük – Safranbolu: Fire persists over difficult terrain. Smoke and fog have constrained aerial support; ground teams continue operations, and air units are deployed as conditions allow.
- Kahramanmaraş – Onikişubat: The fire began in forested land and spread into rocky areas. Intense, continued efforts pursued overnight, and interventions remain ongoing).
National Scale & Response
- Over the past 24 hours, teams battled 84 fires nationwide, including 36 in forests and 48 in rural areas. Cooler periods are unlikely within the coming days, and a state of readiness will remain until at least October 15, 2025.
High‑Risk Zones Highlighted
Minister Yumaklı urged extreme caution across southern Marmara, northern Aegean, western Black Sea, and interior Aegean regions, warning these areas pose particularly high fire risk due to heat and wind conditions.
Key Takeaways:
- A major blaze is currently active in Bursa (between Gürsu and Kestel). Though improving, it remains dangerous with numerous evacuations and highway closures.
- Fires continue in Karabük’s Safranbolu and Kahramanmaraş’s Onikişubat, despite heavy intervention.
- National authorities are on high alert through mid‑October, coordinating efforts involving aerial and ground units, local personnel, and institutions.
- Citizens are urgently asked to avoid any open flames and stay vigilant, especially in identified high-risk coastal and interior zones.
