Raging wildfires in Turkey have reached the outskirts of Bursa, the country’s fourth-largest city, triggering the evacuation of over 3,500 residents and leaving two people dead.
Greece, Bulgaria, and Montenegro are also struggling with fires, driven by extreme heat, drought, and strong winds.
Fires that broke out overnight in the forested hills near Bursa, in northwestern Turkey, spread quickly and lit up the night sky over the city’s eastern districts. Since late June, dozens of wildfires have flared daily across the country. On Friday, the government designated Izmir and Bilecik provinces as disaster zones.
Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli reported Sunday that 3,515 people were evacuated from villages northeast of Bursa, with more than 1,900 firefighters deployed to battle the blaze. Authorities closed the main highway connecting Bursa to Ankara as surrounding woodlands burned.
One firefighter died of a heart attack while on duty, Bursa Mayor Mustafa Bozbey confirmed. Another person died, and two were severely injured when a water tanker plunged into a ravine near the city. Around 3,000 hectares (7,413 acres) of land have been burned.
Opposition lawmaker Orhan Saribal described the scene as “apocalyptic.”
By morning, decreasing winds gave firefighters a brief reprieve, although footage showed widespread devastation where farmland and forests once stood.
Yumakli said firefighters were tackling 84 fires across the country on Saturday. The northwestern region, including Karabuk—where fires have been burning since Tuesday—remains a high-risk area. Nearly 1,840 people were evacuated from 19 villages there.
In addition to Bursa and Karabuk, a large wildfire in Kahramanmaras, southern Turkey, continued to spread. Authorities warned that strengthening winds could reignite fires not fully extinguished.
Rescue teams saved thousands of animals, including livestock and pets, left behind during urgent evacuations. Local outlets also showed efforts to rescue wildlife trapped by the flames.
The wildfires are being intensified by extreme heat, dry weather, and gusty winds. Turkey recorded its highest temperature ever—50.5°C (122.9°F)—on Friday in the southeastern province of Sirnak. July temperature records were also broken in 132 locations nationwide.
In recent weeks, 15 people have died in the fires, including 10 firefighters and volunteers killed Wednesday in a blaze in Eskisehir, western Turkey.
Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc said prosecutors had opened investigations into fires in 33 provinces since June 26, with legal action taken against 97 individuals.
Fires Spread Across Southern Europe
In Greece, wildfires continued on Sunday in the country’s southwest and on the island of Kythera. A fire also broke out Saturday in the northern Athens suburb of Kryoneri, prompting evacuations. Temperatures remain around 38°C (100°F), though wind conditions have slightly improved.
Police evacuated 27 residents in Kryoneri overnight, some of whom had resisted leaving. Officials urged the public to follow evacuation orders to avoid endangering themselves and rescue workers.
Three people were hospitalized with respiratory issues, and one firefighter was treated for burns.
On the island of Evia, where another fire has been brought under control, reports suggest many animals died after being trapped in barns.
Bulgaria Declares Disaster Zones
Bulgaria is facing wildfires along its southern borders with Greece and Turkey, as well as in the west near Serbia. Several provinces were declared disaster zones, and a code red weather alert was issued for nearly half the country.
Fire Chief Alexander Djartov said 236 fires were burning, many spread by high winds. Bulgaria requested assistance from European Union allies, with aircraft from countries including the Czech Republic, Slovakia, France, Hungary, and Sweden expected to arrive Sunday.
In the Strumyani region, overnight fires forced firefighters to pull back, though reinforcements, including military troops, arrived Sunday. In the western Tran area, residents fled as flames neared villages along the Serbian border.