Bursa Forest Fires (July 2025)

In the final days of July 2025, numerous forest fires spread over large areas in the districts of Gürsu, Kestel, Orhaneli, and Harmancık in Bursa. The fires began on 26 July 2025 in different locations on the same day and rapidly expanded due to strong winds and high temperatures, threatening both rural settlements and transportation infrastructure. Through large-scale evacuations, road closures, aerial interventions, and mass response operations, the fires were brought under control at many points. Response efforts were coordinated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, AFAD, the General Directorate of Forestry, local administrations, and volunteers.

Origin and Spread of the Fires

The first of the simultaneous forest fires in Bursa was detected on 26 July 2025 at 16:06 near Yakuplar Village in the Orhaneli district. On the same day at 17:41, a second fire ignited in the wooded area between Gürsu and Kestel districts, between İpekyolu Village and Ağlaşan Village.

Driven by the wind, the fire along the Gürsu-Kestel line rapidly expanded, spreading toward the villages of Karahıdır, İğdir, Avdancık, and Ağlaşan. The central axis of the fire formed in the forested area north of the TOKİ housing units. The origin point of the fire was determined to be Ağlaşan Village, and the surrounding damage was observed via aerial imagery.

The fire in Orhaneli district similarly advanced westward toward Harmancık district. Flames moved toward rural villages under Harmancık’s jurisdiction and, although temporarily contained, reignited with the wind. Dense smoke rising from the southern slopes of Uludağ rose above the mountain peak and reached Bursa city center, approximately 80 kilometers away, where residents reported the smell of smoke and ashfall.

Aerial and ground interventions were intensified to bring the fires under control; the fire’s trajectory varied across districts and over successive days. Progress along the Gürsu-Kestel line was largely halted, but the fire in the Harmancık region was brought under control on its fifth day, by 30 July 2025.

Affected Villages and Evacuations

As the fires spread in Bursa, the first evacuation was carried out in Karahıdır Village, under Gürsu district. As the flames encircled the village and approached residential areas with the wind, buses operated by BURULAŞ were directed to the area to evacuate residents. It was reported that approximately 700 people lived in this village, with some homes damaged and several vehicles affected by the fire.

Following Karahıdır, an evacuation order was issued in İğdir Village as the flames advanced. Similarly, in Ağlaşan Village, aerial interventions were intensified due to the proximity of flames to homes and barns, and residents and livestock were moved away from the area. In the vicinity of Avdancık Village under Gürsu district, protective barriers were constructed to prevent the fire from reaching residential zones.

The fire that started in Yakuplar Village in Orhaneli district, driven by the wind, advanced toward Harmancık district, prompting evacuations in the villages of Dutluca, Ilıcaksu, Çamoğlu, Çatalsöğüt, and Çakmak under Harmancık’s jurisdiction. Additionally, Gedikler Village in Büyükorhan district was evacuated as a precaution.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry on 28 July 2025, evacuations were carried out in a total of eleven villages. These evacuations, covering the districts of Gürsu, Kestel, Orhaneli, Harmancık, and Büyükorhan, relocated 3,515 people to safe areas due to fire risks. The Bursa Metropolitan Municipality opened the Vakıf Bera Sports Complex as a temporary shelter for evacuated residents, while basic needs such as food and water were provided through subsidiaries including BURFAŞ and BESAŞ. It was also reported that animal shelters at risk from the fires had been evacuated in advance.

Intervention Operations

Intervention efforts against the forest fires in Bursa were conducted under the coordination of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the General Directorate of Forestry, AFAD, the Bursa Regional Directorate of Forestry, and local administrations. Upon the outbreak of the fires, reinforcement teams, heavy machinery, water tankers, and logistical support units were deployed to the region from neighboring provinces.

As of 28 July 2025, a total of 11 aircraft, 971 ground vehicles, and 2,684 personnel were deployed to combat the fires across Bursa. Simultaneous suppression, containment, and cooling operations were carried out in both the Gürsu-Kestel and Orhaneli-Harmancik fire zones. Aircraft were deployed intensively in areas near Ağlaşan Village and close to TOKI housing units.

Specifically for the Harmancık fire, five aircraft, 30 helicopters, and 855 ground vehicles were assigned. As of 30 July 2025, this fire was reported as the only active forest fire remaining in Türkiye. Minister Yumaklı stated that the intensity of the fire had been reduced and contained, and that cooling operations were continuing.

Coordination activities were managed from the Bursa Regional Directorate of Forestry Fire Operations Center. Governor Erol Ayyıldız, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Ahmet Gümen, TBMM Committee Chair Mustafa Varank, Provincial Police Chief Sabit Akın Zaimoğlu, and Provincial Gendarmerie Commander İdris Tataroğlu oversaw on-site operations alongside the response teams.

Local residents also directly participated in the intervention efforts. Water transported in tankers attached to tractors supported firefighting in rural areas. Notably, a citizen from Mustafakemalpaşa district named Ramazan Doğru, acting on his own initiative, drew public attention for his efforts and was gifted a new water tanker in recognition.

Impact on Transportation Infrastructure and Social Life

The spread of the fires affected road transport in various parts of Bursa. Due to advancing flames near the Karahıdır location in Gürsu district, the General Directorate of Highways temporarily closed the section of the Bursa Ring Road between Yıldırım Junction, Bursa East Junction, and Turanköy Junction as of 23:00 on 27 July 2025. After assessments, the road was reopened under controlled conditions.

The Orhaneli-Harmancık road was temporarily closed to traffic in both directions due to dense smoke and the fire reaching the roadside. Once the fire’s advance was halted, traffic on this road was also restored.

Flames reaching the stone quarries area caused some industrial activities to be suspended. Teams conducted additional reinforcement work in these zones to prevent further fire spread. Visibility was significantly reduced at times due to smoke density along transportation routes, prompting enhanced safety measures for vehicles traveling toward Harmancık.

Among the social impacts of the fires was the cancellation of the Athena concert, held as part of the 63rd International Bursa Festival at the Kültürpark Open-Air Theatre on 26 July 2025. Citing security concerns, the concert was halted mid-performance and spectators were asked to evacuate the area.

Official Visits and Statements

Many public officials visited the fire zones and issued statements regarding developments. Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, along with Governor Erol Ayyıldız and Regional Forestry Director Erdal Şahan, conducted assessments at the Fire Operations Center before inspecting the fire area. Intensive intervention efforts were directed toward the ongoing fire zone north of TOKI housing units, with continuous aerial support provided to high-risk areas.

Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı, in his statement on 28 July 2025, noted that the forest fires in Bursa’s Kestel district and Kahramanmaraş’s Onikişubat district had been largely brought under control, while the intensity of the Harmancık fire had been reduced. He emphasized that cooling operations were ongoing and that caution was being exercised due to high air temperatures.

The Chairman of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye Committee on Science, Industry, Trade, Energy, Natural Resources, Information and Technology and AK Party Member of Parliament for Bursa, Mustafa Varank, announced that a person had been taken into custody on suspicion of attempting to start a fire in the wildfire area along the Harmancık-Orhaneli route. According to a statement by the Bursa Governorate, the individual taken into custody was reported to have had past connections with FETÖ and was apprehended with gasoline cans.

In addition, a person wearing search and rescue personnel attire and identified with 105 criminal records was apprehended by gendarmerie units in the Gürsu Karahıdır neighbourhood.

Current Status of the Fires

Total Evacuations and Current Response Capacity

According to the announcement by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry on 28 July 2025, a total of 11 neighborhoods in Bursa have been evacuated due to fire risk. A total of 3,515 people have been relocated to safe areas from the neighborhoods of Karahıdır, İğdir, Ağlaşan and Avdancık in the district of Gürsu; Yakuplar in the district of Orhaneli; Gedikler in the district of Büyükorhan; and Çakmak, Çatalsöğüt, Çamoğlu, Ilıcaksu and Dutluca in the district of Harmancık.

Under response operations, 2,300 personnel, 855 ground vehicles, 6 aircraft and 4 helicopters have been deployed to combat fires along the Kestel and Gürsu fronts. An additional 5 aircraft and 30 helicopters have been directed specifically to the Harmancık fire. After nightfall, cooling operations were intensified to prevent smoke emissions and re-ignitions.

To support firefighting efforts, construction machinery, water tankers and logistical equipment have been dispatched to the area from neighboring provinces. While the exact number of volunteers present at the intervention sites has not been officially confirmed, it has been reported that a large number of citizens have contributed individually to the operations.

Water Tanker Accident and Fallen Volunteers

On 27 July 2025, a water tanker transporting water to the fire zone between the districts of Gürsu and Kestel overturned into a ditch near Dudaklı Neighborhood, resulting in the deaths of three individuals. It was determined that those who lost their lives were volunteers participating in firefighting activities.

The funeral of Ahmet Demirel, one of the deceased volunteers, was held on 28 July in his hometown of Bolu, where he was laid to rest. Mehmet Şimşek and Kazım Bayrak were buried at the Gürsu Cemetery following a funeral ceremony held at Emir Sultan Mosque in Gürsu.

The funeral ceremonies were attended by members of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye, representatives of political parties, municipal mayors and a large number of citizens. Official statements issued by authorities expressed condolences to the families of those who lost their lives.

Detentions and Investigations

As part of the investigation into the forest fire that broke out between the districts of Orhaneli and Harmancık, one individual has been taken into custody. According to an announcement by the Bursa Governorship, the suspect was apprehended near the origin of the fire with gasoline containers and had previously been subject to legal proceedings due to alleged links to FETÖ.

The identity of the detained individual has not been disclosed to the public, and it has been confirmed that the investigation is being conducted by the Bursa Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office. Investigations are ongoing to determine whether the suspect has attempted similar actions in other regions. Additionally, security camera footage from a fuel station in Harmancık district has been added to the evidentiary file.

Meanwhile, an individual dressed in search and rescue personnel attire was stopped by gendarmerie in Karahıdır Neighborhood, Gürsu, due to suspicious behavior. Identity verification revealed that the individual is H.M.A., who has 105 separate criminal records and is wanted for nine distinct offenses. The individual has been taken into custody and formal proceedings have been initiated.

Damage Assessment Operations

As of 28 July 2025, damage assessment operations have commenced in the districts of Kestel and Gürsu in Bursa. According to an announcement by the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, a total of five independent units have sustained severe damage: one social facility and two residential units in Kestel, and two warehouses in Gürsu.

In addition, a total of 104 independent units in the provinces of Karabük, Sakarya, Bilecik, Uşak and Antalya outside Bursa have been reported as severely damaged or destroyed. Damage assessments in Bursa are continuing in areas where the fire has been brought under control. Once the assessment process is complete, the public will be informed about the initiation of necessary repair and support measures.

Progress of the Fire Along the Harmancık-Orhaneli Corridor

The fire that began in Yakuplar Neighborhood, Orhaneli district, spread toward the boundaries of Harmancık district on the night of 27 July due to a change in wind direction. As the fire expanded, evacuation orders were issued for the neighborhoods of Dutluca, Ilıcaksu, Çamoğlu, Çatalsöğüt and Çakmak in Harmancık. Additionally, Gedikler Neighborhood in Büyükorhan district was also placed at risk and evacuated as a precautionary measure.

Heavy smoke developed along the Orhaneli-Harmancık corridor, causing significant visibility restrictions in the region. Strong winds caused flames to reignite and rise again; although the fire’s advance was occasionally brought under control, it could not be fully extinguished.

While ground-based firefighting efforts continued, weather conditions during nighttime hours limited intervention opportunities. The fire in the region was combated using five aircraft, 30 helicopters, 855 ground vehicles, and 2,300 personnel.

Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı, in his final statement on 30 July 2025, reported that the forest fire continuing in the Harmancık and Orhaneli districts of Bursa had been brought under control. The statement noted that the fire had been contained, active spread had been halted, and cooling operations were ongoing in the area.