Forests are burning in southern Turkey: fire engulfs Mugla province
A major forest fire has broken out in Mugla province in southern Turkey.
Five airplanes, 11 helicopters, 40 pieces of ground equipment and 260 firefighters are working to extinguish it, the TRT Haber television channel reported.
The fire started on Wednesday morning in the Seydikemer district on farmland, and under the influence of strong wind the flames spread to a forested area. Local authorities evacuated residents of some homes for safety reasons. Due to heavy smoke and the threat of the fire spreading, the Fethiye-Antalya highway has been closed to traffic, the channel reports.
Wildfires have been fought for a second day in Antalya province, which neighbors Mugla, in particular in the Kas and Demre districts. There is so far no threat to tourist areas, the provincial authorities note.
Turkey's Minister of Agriculture Ibrahim Yumakli urged his compatriots to exercise maximum caution in connection with fires that could break out because of strong winds this week. The speed at which the fire spreads can reach 80 km/h. "The ministry remains vigilant around the clock, using 14 UAVs, 776 observation towers to detect fires and 28,000 personnel. However, no technology, no team and no resources can be as effective as the attention and sensitivity shown by our citizens," he wrote on X.
In July and August, hot weather in Turkey often leads to wildfires. According to official data, in 2025 more than 3,200 wildfires occurred in the republic, as a result of which more than 81,000 hectares of forest burned completely or partially.
