Winds hamper Izmir wildfire response
Efforts to combat raging wildfires in the western Turkish province of Izmir faced significant challenges due to heavy winds, with gusts reaching up to 100 kilometers per hour. The fires, which have been fueled by extreme heat, particularly affected the popular tourist town of Menderes. Turkish Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli reported that over 1,000 firefighters, supported by 11 planes and 27 helicopters, are actively battling the blazes. Although three firefighters were hospitalized for smoke inhalation, they were discharged later the same day.
Local agencies captured images of civilians assisting in firefighting efforts as four villages and two neighborhoods were evacuated for safety. The exact area impacted by the fires remains unclear, but flights at Izmir International Airport were temporarily suspended due to smoke in the vicinity. The wildfires, which ignited on June 25 in the Aliağa district, quickly spread to neighboring Foça, driven by scorching temperatures and strong winds. Emergency services deployed over 625 personnel, eight aircraft, and 16 helicopters, but the fires continued for more than 21 hours, threatening residential areas and leading to the evacuation of approximately 550 residents from 175 homes in the Ilıpınar neighborhood.
In a related incident, a wildfire near Adnan Menderes Airport prompted the temporary suspension of flights and diversion of air traffic due to safety concerns. Authorities have arrested a suspect believed to have intentionally started one of the fires, and investigations are ongoing to assess human involvement and potential infrastructure failures, such as high-voltage power lines.
The wildfires coincide with a significant heatwave in Europe, with temperatures in Izmir exceeding 40°C. As firefighting efforts continue, residents are beginning to return home to assess damage, while authorities monitor the situation closely for potential flare-ups in the coming days.
