Türkiye wildfires force mass evacuations amid extreme heat

Fires contained in some regions, others still burning

While wildfires in the southern provinces of Mersin and Antalya, as well as the central province of Usak, were largely contained, major blazes continued to rage in the northwestern province of Bursa and the northern province of Karabuk, according to Agriculture and Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli.

Bursa blaze disrupts traffic and threatens homes

Reuters reported that a major wildfire erupted between Bursa's Gursu and Kestel districts, an area significant to Türkiye's auto industry. The fire briefly shut down part of a major highway linking Istanbul to Izmir on Saturday night. Video footage showed flames encroaching near homes and smoke blanketing the sky above Bursa.

Record-breaking heat intensifies wildfire risk

Türkiye’s meteorological service forecasted temperatures exceeding 40°C in several regions—between 6 and 12 degrees above seasonal averages. On Saturday, the country recorded its highest-ever temperature at 50°C in the southeastern region, amplifying the threat of new and ongoing fires.