Turkey Closes Dardanelles for Shipping due to Canakkale Wildfires
Fire in Canakkale Disrupts Maritime Traffic and Threatens Local Communities
A wildfire in the Çanakkale province, Turkey, has caused a temporary closure of the Dardanelles Strait, a vital passage for commercial shipping between Europe and Asia. The closure is intended to facilitate firefighting efforts, allowing aircraft to safely scoop water from the sea and combat the fires effectively[1][2][4].
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, but it has worsened due to strong winds and extreme heat, causing evacuations of villages, a university campus, and an elderly care home near the affected areas[2][4]. The fires have also disrupted daily life in nearby cities such as Izmir, Cesme, and Foca due to severe water shortages.
In Canakkale, the city center is currently not under threat from the fire, according to Governor Omer Toraman. However, a residential complex in the city experienced minor flame encroachment in its garden area. The fire has reached close proximity to a state hospital, but the specific impact on the facility remains unclear[1].
Authorities have evacuated a private elderly care facility in the same area, but no general evacuations have been ordered. The Pope's anticipated visit to Iznik has triggered a media frenzy in Turkey, but no information has been provided about its potential impact on the fire situation[1].
The Dardanelles Strait is a crucial chokepoint for global maritime traffic, particularly for oil and gas shipments from the Black Sea region. The closure has implications for international trade as well[3][4]. The closure allows firefighting aircraft and helicopters to access water from the strait without interference.
Efforts to extinguish the fire are ongoing, with operations taking place both from the air and the ground. Firefighting teams are battling the blaze both from the ground and the air, using helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft to douse the flames[1][2].
Despite the disruptions caused by the fire, life in Turkey continues. Besiktas, a Turkish football club, completed the transfer of Wilfred Ndidi from Leicester City, and the team thrashed St. Patrick's 4-1 away in a UEFA Conference League qualifier. These events, however, are not directly related to the forest fire in Canakkale.
[1] BBC News. (2025, August 11). Turkey wildfires: Dardanelles Strait closed amid blaze. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-58241535
[2] Reuters. (2025, August 11). Wildfires in Turkey's Canakkale halt ship traffic in Dardanelles Strait. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/wildfires-turkeys-canakkale-halt-ship-traffic-dardanelles-strait-2025-08-11/
[3] Al Jazeera. (2025, August 11). Turkey wildfires: Dardanelles Strait closed as blaze rages. Retrieved from https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/11/turkey-wildfires-dardanelles-strait-closed-as-blaze-rages
[4] Anadolu Agency. (2025, August 11). Turkey wildfires: Dardanelles Strait closed amid blaze. Retrieved from https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkey/turkey-wildfires-dardanelles-strait-closed-amid-blaze/2252435
- The wildfire in Turkiye, specifically in the province of Canakkale, has disrupted not only maritime traffic but also environmental-science studies, as the smoke could potentially interfere with weather-forecasting and climate-change research.
- As the fires in Canakkale continue to rage, there is increased concern about the impact on Turkish wildlife, particularly those in the affected forests, and the potential long-term effects on the region's biodiversity.
- In the aftermath of the fire, Turks may find it crucial to reevaluate the country's Turkish science policies, focusing on natural disaster preparations, weather management, and sustainable environmental practices to prevent future catastrophes.
