Forest fires scorch parts of Turkey, prompting aerial and ground interventions

In July 2026, several forest fires erupted across Turkey. A blaze in Bursa’s Gürsu district burned about 953 hectares, yet a 50‑dunam peach orchard survived and this year produced fruit, delighting the owner who said, “Geçen yıl bu bahçeyi alevlerin arasında böyle kalması, yaptığımız bakımların meyvesi oldu.”

A separate fire near the highway in Buca, İzmir was quickly brought under control by forest and municipal fire crews using both aerial assets and ground teams. The cause remains under investigation.

In Manisa’s Akhisar district, a forest fire prompted a large-scale response with eight aircraft, eight helicopters, dozens of water trucks, and dozers, while more than a thousand people were evacuated from a nearby hotel and holiday resort. Firefighting efforts continue to contain the blaze.