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Türkiye is battling multiple wildfires across the country as soaring summer temperatures and human factors intensify the blazes on Saturday. One of the most severe fires broke out between te districts of Kestel and Gursu in Bursa province.
Strong winds have caused the fire to spread rapidly, reaching the Karahidir neighborhood and forcing authorities to close the Bursa-Ankara highway between Kestel and Gursu to traffic heading towards Ankara. Drivers are being redirected to alternative routes as flames approach residential areas. .
Dozens of firefighting teams, including fire trucks, water tankers, and TOMA riot control vehicles, are working intensively to control the blaze. The fire has illuminated the night sky with bright red flames visible from many parts of the city. Roads around the fire zone have been closed to prevent civilian access and ensure safety.
Evacuations are underway in the rural Karahidir neighborhood as the fire advances toward Gursu district. Officials have emphasized caution due to the unpredictable nature of the blaze, driven by strong winds.
Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu, Bursa Governor Erol Ayyildiz, and AK Party provincial chairman Davut Gurkan visited the affected area to inspect the firefighting efforts and receive updates from emergency teams.
During the intense fire, the official vehicles of Gursu District Governor Murat Kutuk and Gursu Mayor Mustafa Isik were trapped by the flames but were rescued by their drivers just in time.
Local residents fleeing the fire were seen running along the highway as the fire rapidly spread, causing panic in some areas.
Bursa Metropolitan Municipality issued a warning on social media platform X about ash fallout caused by the wildfires. Citizens were advised to keep their windows and doors closed and to avoid going outside unless necessary.
Ashfall has already begun in several parts of the city due to ongoing fires.
Due to darkness, aerial firefighting operations have been suspended across all active fires.
Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu said after inspecting the site in Bursa:
"We have given very clear instructions not to take risks in residential areas. 2 villages was evacuated accordingly. Around 700 residents were evacuated from there. The fires have reached Igidir village, where 600 residents were also evacuated. We are closely monitoring the situation. We have coordinated with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. The Karabuk-Ankara road, which had been closed, has now been reopened to traffic."
The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Meanwhile, Türkiye continues to face a challenging wildfire season with numerous blazes fueled by extreme heat and human activity.
Türkiye is facing a severe wildfire crisis as a heatwave, low humidity, and strong winds have sparked numerous fires across the country. In addition to the major blaze in Bursa, critical fires continue to rage in Karabuk, Usak, and Kahramanmaras provinces.
The fire that started near Cavuslar village Mezarlik area has spread through Ovacik district’s Kisla village and reached Cumayani Armagan neighborhood. The Karabuk-Ankara highway, which had been closed due to the advancing flames, has now been reopened to traffic. Due to darkness, aerial firefighting operations have been suspended across all active fires.
Evacuations have affected 18 villages and 50 neighborhoods which have been evacuated, with large livestock transported by truck trailers. Firefighting efforts include 2 aircraft, 23 helicopters, hundreds of personnel, and volunteers.
A command vehicle has been stationed to coordinate the operation via detailed mapping.
A new fire erupted about 2 km from an earlier controlled zone. Evacuations include Ketenlik village, Horzumlar and Tekeli neighborhoods, and Erice village. Response teams employ 5 helicopters, 31 fire trucks, 412 personnel, and numerous heavy machinery units. Damage assessments are underway after some houses in Gerdanlar neighborhood sustained fire damage.
The fire has affected approximately 100 hectares, destroying 3 houses and forcing the evacuation of 130 residents. Firefighting resources include 2 helicopters, 6 fire engines, 14 water tankers, 7 rapid response vehicles, 8 water trucks, and 15 bulldozers. Six personnel suffered smoke inhalation, with five hospitalized.
Agriculture and Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli reported that on July 26, 76 fires were actively fought nationwide — 28 in forested areas and 48 in rural regions. Major fires near Ankara’s Eymir Lake, Antalya Gazipasa, Mersin Silifke, and Antalya Serik have been largely contained. However, fires in Karabuk, Usak, Kahramanmaras, and Bursa remain active.
The ministry urged citizens not to light fires even outside forest areas, avoid discarding cigarette butts, and not leave trash or glass bottles in nature. Citizens were called to immediately report any smoke or fire signs to the 112 emergency call center.
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