The battle against wildfires in Turkey continues as a new blaze erupted near the coastal town of Cesme on Wednesday, July 2, 2025 — just one day after a brief period of calm. Strong winds have significantly hampered firefighting efforts, raising concerns among local authorities and residents alike.
Governor of Izmir (Smyrna), Suleiman Elban, warned late Wednesday night that the fire remains out of control. He added that eyewitnesses and on-site technicians believe the fire was caused by an electrical transmission line.
According to NTV Radio, the fire began early in the afternoon in an agricultural area and quickly spread to nearby forestland and olive groves due to strong gusts. High temperatures and wind conditions are making it extremely difficult for firefighters to contain the flames, with crews working non-stop through the night.
The highway connecting Izmir — Turkey’s third-largest city — with Cesme, a popular seaside resort located about 80 kilometers west, has been closed in both directions. In several communities threatened by the advancing fire, residents were urgently evacuated, according to an AFP photographer on the scene.
Local officials have not reported any casualties so far. The municipality of Cesme announced via X that reception centers and gathering points have been set up for displaced individuals.
In addition to emergency services and civil defense teams, volunteers and search-and-rescue organizations are assisting in relief efforts. AKUT, Turkey’s oldest and most respected search-and-rescue organization, shared alarming images on social media showing hills engulfed in flames and a sky painted red.
Turkish Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Ibrahim Yumaklı attempted to reassure the public Tuesday evening, claiming that the main fire hotspots had been partially contained. However, he also warned of extreme heat and fierce winds expected this week, coming largely from the Marmara Sea, the Aegean, and the Mediterranean.
Hundreds of fires have broken out across Turkey since last Friday, fueled by a deadly combination of high temperatures, drought, and strong winds. Approximately 50,000 people were forced to evacuate their homes in the provinces of Izmir and Hatay, according to Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD).