Turkey’s western province of Izmir, a key tourism hub, is reeling from wildfires that have raged for a second day, prompting the evacuation of over 50,000 residents from 41 settlements.
Fueled by winds reaching speeds of 65-117 kmph (40-75 mph), the fires have spread rapidly across districts like Seferihisar, Menderes, and Gaziemir, threatening homes, wildlife, and industrial zones.
The blazes, which began on Sunday, have already damaged or destroyed dozens of homes and injured 21 people, though no fatalities have been reported.
The crisis forced a temporary suspension of operations at Izmir’s Adnan Menderes Airport, stranding hundreds of tourists, including UK-bound travelers facing delays of up to 21 hours.
Over 1,000 firefighters, supported by helicopters, water-bombing aircraft, and ground vehicles, are battling the flames.
Strong winds initially grounded helicopters, complicating efforts to contain the fires, which have scorched over 12 kilometers of land.
In Gaziemir, a blaze at a landfill spread to nearby woodland, endangering the Otokent industrial zone, where a car dealership was reported ablaze.
Turkey’s coastal regions, including Izmir, have faced increasingly severe wildfires in recent years, a trend scientists attribute to hotter, drier summers driven by climate change.
The current heatwave, with temperatures mirroring the 40°C (104°F) highs seen across southern Europe, has exacerbated the situation.
As Turkey grapples with 263 fires nationwide over the past three days, authorities are investigating possible arson, with one suspect detained in Izmir’s Buca district for allegedly starting a fire with gasoline.
The fires threaten Turkey’s vital tourism sector, which generated $61 billion in 2024, underscoring the economic and environmental stakes of the ongoing crisis.