Widespread forest fire in western Turkey's region leads to temporary airport closure.
Large Wildfire Rages Near Çanakkale, Turkey
A significant wildfire has been burning near the city of Çanakkale, Turkey since August 8, 2025. The fire has prompted widespread evacuations, temporary closures of key infrastructure, and substantial firefighting efforts.
The fire originated east of Çanakkale city, in the Sarıcaeli village, and rapidly spread due to high temperatures, drought, low humidity, and strong winds. It has extended into forested areas and approached residential parts of the city.
Hundreds of residents have been evacuated from three villages, a university campus, and an elderly care home as a precaution. The evacuations include people from Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University and a local nursing home.
Authorities have deployed numerous firefighting resources to combat the blaze. These include up to eight planes, six helicopters, dozens of fire trucks, and heavy machinery. Despite these efforts, fires continue to burn in the southern part of Çanakkale's city center near the Dardanelles Strait as of August 12. However, some blazes in outlying districts like Ezine and Ayvacik have been brought under control.
The Çanakkale airport has been temporarily shut, and maritime traffic through the Dardanelles Strait, which connects the Aegean Sea to the Sea of Marmara, has been suspended in both directions due to heavy smoke and reduced visibility. This has affected about 100 ships and complicated firefighting operations that use the sea for water collection.
Road closures and traffic diversions are in place, with ongoing advisories for residents and travelers to follow evacuation orders, wear masks outdoors, and anticipate significant disruptions.
Experts are blaming climate change for the increasing extremes that have contributed to the wildfire. A storm warning has been issued for four western provinces, including Çanakkale, with winds of up to 80 km/h from the north and northeast expected until Tuesday.
The cause of the wildfire is still unknown. Media reports suggest that shipping through the Dardanelles Strait has been restricted due to heavy smoke, but this has not been confirmed by authorities.
Overall, while some containment has been achieved in peripheral areas, the wildfire remains active near the city and critical strait, causing extensive evacuations and infrastructure closures with ongoing firefighting efforts to protect urban and strategic areas around the Dardanelles.
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