İzmir Forest Fires (June–July 2025)

The İzmir forest fires, which occurred at the end of June and beginning of July 2025 in the districts of Menderes, Seferihisar, Gaziemir, Buca and Tire in İzmir, were large-scale wildfires that threatened residential areas and caused extensive damage. Intensive firefighting operations were conducted both from the air and from the ground.

Areas Affected and Ignition Points

Situation in Menderes and Seferihisar Districts

The forest fires that began on 29 June at the boundaries of Kuyucak Neighborhood in Menderes district and Doğanbey Neighborhood in Seferihisar district spread rapidly over a wide area due to strong winds. Flames advanced as far as the borders of Orhanlı Neighborhood in Seferihisar. During the fire’s progression, residential areas came under threat. As a result, the neighborhoods of Atatürk, Cumhuriyet, Orhanlı, Payamlı and Kavakdere in Seferihisar district were evacuated. Residents of Şöhretler Housing Complex in Cumhuriyet Neighborhood also left their homes following warnings from gendarmerie units.

According to statements by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, a total of five villages and two neighborhoods in Menderes and Seferihisar districts were temporarily evacuated as a precaution. In the Doğankent Housing Complex in Seferihisar, 345 homes were swiftly evacuated, and many residences suffered damage from the fire. Initial assessments indicated that two vehicles in the Doğankent Housing Complex were damaged.

Fires in Gaziemir and Buca

A fire that started at a landfill near Beyazevler Neighborhood in Gaziemir district spread to surrounding forested areas due to wind and reached the Otokent Galericiler Housing Complex in Buca district. As a result of this fire, 25 vehicles were completely destroyed, and a three-story white goods warehouse, offices and several commercial units in the İZOKOM Auto Bazaar Galericiler Housing Complex became unusable. Teams from the District Police Directorate and the İzmir Directorate of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change began damage assessment operations in the area.

Fire in Alacalı Neighborhood, Tire District

A grassland fire in Alacalı Neighborhood of Tire district spread under the influence of wind to residential areas, animal pens and hay stores. As a result, three houses, one tractor and one automobile were rendered unusable. Residents of the neighborhood fought the fire using water tankers, and the blaze was brought under control following the efforts of firefighting teams.

Response Operations and Equipment Used

Large-scale operations were carried out both from the air and from the ground to combat the fires. The General Directorate of Forestry deployed six aircraft, 23 all-terrain vehicles, six water supply vehicles and three bulldozers to the fire zone. The İzmir Regional Directorate of Forestry used two aircraft, one helicopter, three all-terrain vehicles and one water supply vehicle.

In total, across İzmir, four aircraft, 14 helicopters, 106 all-terrain vehicles and over 100 construction machines were deployed. More than a thousand personnel participated in ground-based firefighting efforts. Helicopters belonging to the Turkish Armed Forces also supported fire suppression operations. In addition, ground teams from the İzmir Governorate and neighboring provinces actively operated in the fire zone.

Evacuated Neighborhoods and Housing Complexes

The neighborhoods of Atatürk, Cumhuriyet, Orhanlı, Payamlı and Kavakdere in Seferihisar district were evacuated. Residents of the Şöhretler Housing Complex in Cumhuriyet Neighborhood also left their homes following warnings from gendarmerie units. Additionally, 345 housing units in the Doğankent Housing Complex in Seferihisar were emptied.

Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı stated that a total of five villages and two neighborhoods in Seferihisar and Menderes districts of İzmir were evacuated as a precaution. Traffic congestion occurred in some residential areas due to the fires, and road access between Seferihisar and Ürkmez was disrupted.

The Gaziemir Fire and Temporary Closure of Adnan Menderes Airport

Due to the spread of the fire in Gaziemir district, Adnan Menderes Airport was temporarily closed to flights starting at 16:00 on 29 June. Flight operations resumed after the fire was brought under control. Some flights destined for İzmir were redirected to other airports during the fire.

Legal Proceedings and Investigations

One person was taken into custody in connection with the fire in Buca district. It is alleged that the suspect first set fire to his own residence and then caused the forest fire. The Ministry of Justice announced that legal proceedings have been initiated against the individual on charges of “intentionally causing a forest fire.” It was also stated that multi-faceted investigations are ongoing in other regions regarding the forest fires.

Weather Conditions and Response Challenges

Weather conditions played a decisive role in the fire suppression process. Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı stated that wind speeds in Seferihisar and Menderes districts of İzmir reached up to 120 kilometers per hour on 29 June 2025 and remained around 65 kilometers per hour during nighttime hours. Frequent changes in wind direction forced firefighting teams to reorganize their containment lines. This situation accelerated the fire’s spread and complicated suppression efforts.

Izmir Governor Süleyman Elban stated that wind speeds varied between 70 and 117 kilometers per hour, rendering most aerial assets inoperable. Only two large firefighting aircraft were able to operate at intermittent intervals.

Health Status of Citizens Affected by the Fire

A total of 46 people were affected by smoke from the fires, one of whom sustained serious injuries. The Ministry of Health closely monitored the condition of individuals receiving treatment in hospitals. It was also reported that 21 individuals received outpatient treatment and were discharged to their homes.

Ibrahim Meze, a 70-year-old disabled citizen whose home was destroyed in Seferihisar, was rescued from his residence by the İHH Search and Rescue İzmir team and handed over to medical personnel. His health condition was reported to be stable.

New Fires in İzmir and Response Operations

Control of Fires in Seferihisar and Menderes

The forest fires affecting the districts of Seferihisar and Menderes in İzmir were fully brought under control as of 2 July 2025. According to statements from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, intensive aerial and ground interventions in both districts halted the spread of flames, leaving no active fire lines.

Following the containment of the fires, extensive cooling operations were carried out across the affected areas. Teams from the Regional Directorate of Forestry and other support units implemented preventive measures to ensure no re-ignition occurred along the former fire perimeter.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry warned that, based on meteorological data, the risk of fire remains in the region, and urged citizens to remain vigilant and avoid any activities that could ignite fires in forested areas.

Çeşme Fire

A fire that began on 2 July 2025 in an agricultural area within Ildır Village of Çeşme district in İzmir quickly spread to surrounding forested land due to strong winds. The fire expanded over a wide area, propelled by wind speeds reaching 85 kilometers per hour. Initial response efforts were launched by the İzmir Regional Directorate of Forestry, utilizing both aerial and ground resources. Intervention commenced approximately 13 minutes after the alarm was raised.

A total of six aircraft, 19 helicopters, 39 all-terrain vehicles, 14 water supply units, and four bulldozers were deployed for firefighting operations. Additional support vehicles, including Public Order Intervention Vehicles (TOMA), were also utilized. A total of 217 ground vehicles and 783 personnel participated in ground operations. Aerial interventions were limited during nighttime hours, with operations continuing exclusively on the ground.

Due to fire risk, the neighborhoods of Ildır and Germiyan in Çeşme and Nohutalan Village in Urla district were evacuated as a precaution. Additionally, Germiyan, Karaköy, and Nohutlu neighborhoods located along the fire’s path were placed under threat. Several housing complexes in Ildır Village were emptied. The İzmir Governorate stated that the fire was assessed to have originated from an electrical power line.

During the fire, the İzmir-Çeşme Motorway was closed to traffic at the Zeytinler toll booths heading toward Çeşme and at the Alaçatı toll booths heading toward İzmir. Access along the Old Çeşme Road between Kutlu Aktaş Dam and Zeytinler Junction was also prohibited. Alternative routes were used to reach Çeşme.

The fire continued advancing toward the Kutlu Aktaş Dam, prompting preventive measures for energy lines and industrial facilities in the area. Reinforcement teams were directed to transformer stations and industrial plants to prevent fire spread. Due to the fire’s proximity, the İzmir-Çeşme Motorway was closed to two-way traffic. Intense winds hampered firefighting efforts at times. It was reported that the fire could not be fully contained until nighttime, with operations continuing exclusively on the ground after darkness fell.

Ödemiş Fire

A fire broke out in the evening of 2 July 2025 between the neighborhoods of Tosunlar and Suçıktı in İzmir’s Ödemiş district. Initial assessments indicate that the fire originated from electrical power lines located near residential areas. According to early findings, the fire started in the Manastır area and rapidly spread to surrounding agricultural lands and forested zones.

The fire advanced toward Tosunlar and Suçıktı neighborhoods, threatening residential areas. Evacuation procedures in Tosunlar Neighborhood were carried out swiftly, while in Suçıktı Neighborhood, some residents were evacuated only after the fire reached the area. All residents in both neighborhoods were successfully evacuated following coordinated operations by AFAD, gendarmerie, and forestry teams.

Some homes in the affected neighborhoods sustained damage. Detailed assessments of the extent of damage will be conducted only after the fire is fully under control. Cooling operations began early in the morning, with teams continuing aerial and ground interventions to ensure complete extinguishment of the fire.

Two aircraft, nine helicopters, 35 all-terrain vehicles, nine water supply units, and four bulldozers from the İzmir Regional Directorate of Forestry were deployed for firefighting. Aerial assets joined ground operations beginning in the morning hours after night-time efforts concluded.

İzmir Governor Süleyman Elban conducted on-site inspections from the moment the fire began and gathered information from officials. It was reported that the fire’s path later shifted away from populated areas. Operations in the fire zone continue, and damage assessments will be carried out only after the fire is fully contained.

Latest Status of Fires in İzmir (4 July 2025)

Chesme Fire Brought Under Control

The forest fire that began on 2 July 2025 in the Ildır neighbourhood of İzmir’s Çeşme district was fully brought under control by 4 July 2025. According to an announcement by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the spread of flames was halted following intensive aerial and ground interventions.

Two aircraft and six helicopters under the jurisdiction of the İzmir Regional Directorate of Forestry participated in firefighting operations. Ground teams continued their efforts with 35 all-terrain vehicles, nine water supply vehicles, and four bulldozers. Nighttime ground firefighting operations were sustained into the early hours of 4 July with support from aerial units.

Following the containment of the fire, the İzmir-Çeşme Motorway, which had been closed, was reopened to traffic.

Latest Status of the Ödemiş Fire

Firefighting operations continue as of 4 July 2025 against a fire that started around 21:00 on 2 July 2025 in the Manastır area of Tosunlar neighbourhood, part of Ödemiş district. Around-the-clock interventions by the İzmir Regional Directorate of Forestry and fire departments have been carried out to prevent the fire from spreading to residential areas.

As a precautionary measure, the neighbourhoods of Suçıktı, Tosunlar, Üzümlü, Ortaköy, and Karadoğan were evacuated. It was also reported that the advancing fire threatened Yeniköy neighbourhood. A bedridden resident living alone in Suçıktı neighbourhood was confirmed dead as a result of the fire.

Four aircraft, nine helicopters, 35 all-terrain vehicles, nine water supply vehicles, and four bulldozers are engaged in firefighting efforts. Teams have increased aerial support as daylight conditions improved to gain control of the fire.

Buca Fire

A fire broke out in the evening of 3 July 2025 in a forested area of Zafer neighbourhood in İzmir’s Buca district. Fueled by strong winds, the fire rapidly expanded and spread to surrounding areas. The İzmir Regional Directorate of Forestry and fire departments responded immediately. Intensive measures were taken throughout the night to prevent the fire from reaching furniture manufacturing and sales facilities in Kısıkköy and nearby areas, as well as a nearby fuel station. Local residents also supported firefighting efforts using water tankers.

Four aircraft, 11 helicopters, numerous all-terrain vehicles, and water supply vehicles have been deployed to combat the Buca fire. The fire has not yet been fully contained, and suppression efforts continued as of the morning of 4 July 2025.