turkey The country is grappling with devastating wildfires, forcing thousands of people to evacuate their homes and urgent travel advisories to be issued. The country’s western regions, popular tourist destinations, have been badly affected with more than 130 fires breaking out in the past week alone.

Major fires have raged across provinces such as Izmir, Aydin, Manisa, Karabuk and Bolu, threatening both residential and tourist areas. Emergency services are working tirelessly to control the fires, with thousands of firefighters deployed on the ground and in the air. Although no casualties have been reported so far, the situation remains critical.

More than 4,000 people have been evacuated in some areas of Izmir, where the fires have forced nearly 900 people to flee. As the crisis continues to escalate, authorities have issued travel warnings, urging tourists to exercise caution and avoid affected areas. According to reports, the General Directorate of Forestry has advised residents and tourists to avoid lighting fires outside for the next 10 days. In addition, the UK’s Foreign Commonwealth Office (FCO) has also updated its travel advice, urging British citizens in Turkey to stay informed of the latest developments, stay hydrated and follow NHS guidelines for dealing with the heat.

Also read: Jasper National Park wildfire: Is it safe to travel to Canada now?

Extreme heat in Türkiye

Turkey experienced its hottest July in 53 years, with temperatures reaching 45.9 degrees Celsius in Sirnak. This extreme heat has significantly exacerbated the wildfire crisis plaguing the country. While wildfires are not uncommon during Turkey’s summer months, the intensity and frequency of these fires have reached unprecedented levels. A similar pattern has been observed in Greece, which has also faced rising temperatures that have increased the risk of wildfires across the country.

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