Firefighters battle forest blaze in southwestern Turkey’s Mugla province

Firefighters are battling a forest fire in Turkey’s southwestern Mugla province, where strong winds are helping the blaze spread. The fire began in the Yaras neighborhood for reasons that remain unknown and has affected the Mentese and Ula districts.

Three residential buildings have been evacuated, along with cattle and sheep. Mugla Governor Idris Akbiyik told the state-run Anadolu news agency that crews were fighting the fire from the air and on the ground.

The response includes seven aircraft, 13 helicopters, 32 firefighting vehicles and 232 personnel. Traffic on the road between Mugla and Denizli is being maintained under control.

The Turkish General Directorate of Forestry said on X that a separate forest fire in Antalya province’s Serik district had been brought under control.

Forest fires occur frequently in Turkey during the summer, encouraged by prolonged dry conditions and strong winds. Istanbul University expert Cihan Erdönmez said faulty maintenance of power lines running through forests often triggers fires. Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli said Turkey recorded more than 5,000 forest fires in 2025, with 96 percent directly or indirectly caused by people.

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The firefighting operations are being carried out both from the air and on the ground.