Northwest Turkey continues to battle a wildfire for a second consecutive day, following evacuations of residents and livestock.
Wildfires Continue to Rage in Canakkale, Turkey
As of mid-August 2025, significant wildfires have been burning in Canakkale, Turkey, leading to precautionary evacuations, ongoing firefighting efforts, and transportation disruptions.
The fires have mainly affected the Ezine and Ayvacik districts and the city center located on the southern part of the Dardanelles Strait. According to the latest updates, while some areas have largely been brought under control, blazes in the city center are still burning [1].
Firefighting operations have been intense, with at least seven planes and six helicopters, along with dozens of fire trucks and heavy machinery, actively engaged in combating the fires [2][1]. The challenging terrain and rapidly spreading flames have forced firefighters to abandon equipment in some forested areas [2].
Transportation has been notably impacted. Both Canakkale airport and maritime traffic through the Dardanelles Strait—a strategically crucial waterway connecting the Aegean Sea to the Sea of Marmara—were temporarily shut down due to heavy smoke and poor visibility caused by the wildfires [2][1]. Firefighting aircraft have been using sea water to fight the fires, necessitating the closure of sea routes in the area [2].
Despite the scale of the fires, authorities have indicated that there is no immediate danger to urban residential areas as per the latest updates from Canakkale's governor and the Agriculture and Forestry Minister [1]. Efforts to bring the fires under control remain ongoing across Canakkale and other provinces affected by wildfires [1].
In addition to Canakkale, wildfires have been reported in multiple locations across Turkiye, including Edirne, Hatay, and Manisa. As of the statement, wildfires in Edirne and Hatay have been completely brought under control, while efforts are underway to battle another wildfire in Manisa [1].
Hundreds of residents in Canakkale were evacuated in precaution due to the advancing fires threatening multiple villages, a university campus, and an elderly care home [2][1]. The wildfires have caused temporary closures of both the airport and the Dardanelles Strait, adding to the transportation disruptions in the region.
References: [1] Anadolu Agency. (2025, August 15). Wildfires in Canakkale largely brought under control. Retrieved from https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkiye/wildfires-in-canakkale-largely-brought-under-control/2104728
[2] Associated Press. (2025, August 15). Wildfires rage in Turkey, forcing evacuations and airport closures. Retrieved from https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/wildfires-rage-in-turkey-forcing-evacuations-and-airport-closures/ar-AA19e7K3?li=BBnbfcL&ocid=mailsignout&cvid=6f256fc62a8a493bb2c531538c6551f2
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