Wildfires spread across Turkey’s tourism hub Izmir amid regionwide heat wave

Firefighters are battling wildfires for a second day in Turkey’s Aegean province of Izmir, home to many of the country’s popular tourist resorts and world-famous archaeological sites including Ephesus. 

The forest fires, fueled by strong winds, forced a temporary closure of the main Adnan Menderes Airport on Sunday, leaving hundreds of holidaymakers stranded. Passengers returning to the United Kingdom faced delays of up to 21 hours before the airport reopened on Monday.

Several villages in the province were evacuated as helicopters, firefighting aircraft and ground vehicles worked to contain flames sweeping through forested areas and encroaching on residential zones.

Local media broadcast images of the devastation, showing shooting flames and thick plumes of smoke. Dozens of homes were damaged or destroyed.

Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Ibrahim Yumakli said on Monday that the winds fanning the fires had reached 65 kilometers per hour (40 mph) in the Kuyucak and Doganbey areas of Izmir. The winds were so strong that several helicopters were grounded. 

The affected area spans over 12 kilometers (7 miles), and "living creatures are affected," Yumakli said — apparently referring to wildlife. Some 21 people were injured in the fires. No deaths have been reported. Yumakli said the authorities were investigating possible arson.

Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc said that a suspect had been detained in connection with another blaze in Izmir’s Buca district. The individual allegedly started the fire with gasoline.

The Directorate of Communications said a total of 263 fires had erupted across Turkey over the past three days. Of those, 259 had been brought under control.

Efforts to extinguish the remaining four fires were ongoing — two in Izmir and one each in Manisa and Hatay provinces.

Turkey’s coastal regions have, like many other countries bordering the Aegean and Mediterranean seas, been hit by wildfires as summers grow ever hotter and drier. 

Climate change is cited as the principal factor as heat waves engulf Europe, with temperatures topping 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) in France, Greece and Spain. Hot air spreading from North Africa is an aggravating factor, meteorologists say.

Tourism is one of Turkey’s main sources of income, accounting for roughly 13% of the gross domestic product in 2024. The sector generated $9.4 billion between January and March alone, marking a 6% increase over the same period last year. Total tourism revenues rose by 8.3% to $61 billion in 2024.