A wildfire fueled by strong winds forced evacuations, prompted the precautionary evacuation of part of a state hospital and led to the closure of a major highway in southwestern Türkiye’s Muğla province on Wednesday.
The blaze broke out in an agricultural area in the Bayır neighborhood of Seydikemer district before spreading into nearby forestland, where firefighting efforts continue under the coordination of the Muğla Governor’s Office.
Authorities said 43 households, comprising 65 residents, were evacuated as a precaution, while the intensive care and palliative care units of Seydikemer State Hospital, located about 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles) from the fire zone, were also evacuated.
Dense smoke from the wildfire forced officials to temporarily close the Antalya-Seydikemer highway, disrupting traffic in the area.
The Muğla Governor’s Office said the operation includes five aircraft, 18 helicopters, 93 fire engines, three rapid-response vehicles, 24 water tankers, 23 construction machines, 73 service vehicles, eight ambulances, three water cannon trucks (TOMA) and above 800 personnel.
Local media also reported that three unoccupied houses were destroyed by the flames as strong winds continued to hamper firefighting operations. The cause of the wildfire has not yet been announced, and efforts to bring the blaze under control remain ongoing.
Meanwhile, in southern Türkiye, firefighters were battling another wildfire that broke out in a forested area in the Kumluca district of Antalya. The blaze, which erupted in the Yazır neighborhood for reasons yet to be determined, was being fought with aerial and ground support as crews worked to bring it under control.
In western Türkiye, another wildfire broke out in a forested and olive-growing area in the Edremit district of Balıkesir.
The fire, which started near the Tekçam area of Altınoluk neighborhood for unknown reasons, prompted the deployment of Regional Directorate of Forestry teams. Firefighters were working to contain the blaze through coordinated aerial and ground operations.
