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Wildfires that have engulfed Turkey for weeks threatened the country’s fourth-largest city early Sunday, causing more than 1,500 people to flee their homes and leaving a firefighter dead.
Overnight fires in the forested mountains surrounding Bursa in northwest Turkey spread rapidly, tinting the night sky over the city’s eastern suburbs with a red glow. Dozens of severe wildfires have hit the country daily since late June, with the government declaring two western provinces, Izmir and Bilecik, disaster areas on Friday.
Bursa governor’s office said in a statement Sunday that 1,765 people had been safely evacuated from villages to the northeast as more than 1,100 firefighters battled the flames. The highway linking Bursa to the capital, Ankara, was closed as surrounding forests burned.
A firefighter died from a heart attack while on the job, the city’s mayor, Mustafa Bozbey, said in a statement, adding that the flames had scorched 3,000 hectares (7,413 acres) around the city.
Orhan Saribal, an opposition parliamentarian for the province, described the scene as “an apocalypse.”
By morning, lessening winds brought some respite to firefighters, who continued efforts to battle the flames. However, TV footage revealed an ashen landscape where farms and pine forests had earlier stood.
Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yamukli said fire crews across the country confronted 76 separate blazes Saturday. The country’s northwest was under the greatest threat, including Karabuk, where wildfires have burned since Tuesday, he said.
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Unseasonally high temperatures, dry conditions and strong winds have been fueling the wildfires.
The General Directorate of Meteorology said Turkey recorded its highest ever temperature of 50.5 degrees Celsius (122.9 degrees Fahrenheit) in the southeastern Sirnak province on Friday. The highest temperatures for July were seen in 132 other locations, it said.
Fourteen people have died in recent weeks, including 10 rescue volunteers and forestry workers killed Wednesday in a fire in Eskisehir in western Turkey.
Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc said late Saturday that prosecutors had investigated fires in 33 provinces since June 26, and that legal action had been taken against 97 suspects.
Turkey is once again grappling with devastating wildfires as fast-moving flames threaten Bursa, the country’s fourth-largest city, forcing thousands to evacuate and prompting a nationwide emergency response. The blaze, fueled by extreme heat and dry winds, erupted over the weekend and has rapidly spread across forested areas near urban districts, raising fears of a major disaster similar to the catastrophic wildfires that hit the country in 2021.
Bursa on Edge as Flames Approach
The wildfires broke out in the forest-covered hills of the Osmangazi district, just outside Bursa’s urban limits, and quickly spread due to scorching temperatures exceeding 40°C (104°F) and gusty winds. Within hours, the fire reached the outskirts of several neighborhoods, blanketing the sky with thick smoke and ash.
Local authorities declared a state of emergency as firefighters battled to keep the flames from entering the city’s residential zones. Evacuations were ordered in at least six nearby villages and parts of the Nilüfer and Yıldırım districts, where the fire threatened homes, farms, and infrastructure.
“We’ve never seen anything like this,” said Hasan Toprak, a resident of a hillside village forced to evacuate. “The fire was moving faster than we could drive. All we could do was grab our children and run.”
Firefighting Efforts Underway
Turkey’s Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry confirmed that over 1,500 personnel, including firefighters, military units, and volunteers, have been deployed to the area. Twelve water-dropping helicopters, seven firefighting planes, and hundreds of fire trucks are currently involved in efforts to contain the blaze.
Despite the heavy response, containment remains difficult due to high winds and rugged terrain. Officials warn that the next 48 hours will be critical as temperatures remain high and the risk of new ignition points increases.
“We are doing everything we can to protect lives and property,” said Vahit Kirişci, Turkey’s Minister of Agriculture and Forestry. “But the combination of heat, wind, and drought has created a perfect storm.”
Thousands Evacuated, Health Concerns Mount
So far, more than 8,000 residents have been displaced, many taking shelter in temporary evacuation centers set up in schools, sports halls, and community buildings. Emergency medical teams are treating residents for smoke inhalation, burns, and dehydration.
Hospitals in Bursa have been placed on high alert, and residents are being advised to stay indoors if they are in unaffected urban areas. Authorities have also distributed masks to help combat the effects of heavy smoke.
“The air is suffocating. Even if the fire doesn’t reach our home, the smoke is making it impossible to breathe,” said Meryem Çelik, a local schoolteacher. “We packed bags in case we have to leave at a moment’s notice.”
Environmental and Economic Impact
Bursa is not only a major city; it’s also a hub of industry, agriculture, and tourism. The wildfires are threatening vital olive groves, vineyards, and agricultural lands, dealing a blow to local farmers and the economy.
Environmentalists are also sounding the alarm, as thousands of hectares of forest and wildlife habitat have already been destroyed. The region is home to diverse ecosystems, including rare bird species and endangered plants, many of which may not recover for decades.
Wildfire Season and Climate Concerns
This latest blaze adds to the growing list of climate-related disasters impacting the Mediterranean region. Turkey has seen an increase in both the frequency and intensity of wildfires in recent years, with experts linking the trend to rising global temperatures and poor forest management.
“Climate change is no longer a distant threat—it’s here, and it’s burning,” warned Dr. Emine Arslan, an environmental scientist based in Ankara. “Unless urgent action is taken, we will see more cities at risk.”
Conclusion: A Race Against Time
As firefighters and emergency workers battle the growing wildfire near Bursa, the situation remains fluid and dangerous. The coming days will be crucial in determining whether the flames can be contained or if they will push further into Turkey’s urban heartland.
For the thousands of families forced to flee, and for a nation still recovering from past disasters, the fire near Bursa is yet another reminder of the urgent need for climate resilience, preparedness, and sustainable environmental policies.