Eastern Mediterranean wildfires force evacuations and international firefighting response

Turkey reports 17 deaths in ongoing wildfire operations

Wildfires across Turkey have killed 17 people since late June, according to AP News, with the crisis deepening near the city of Bursa over the weekend.

The Turkish government declared multiple disaster zones as record temperatures and strong winds triggered fast-moving fire outbreaks.

Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli said fires were active in several provinces including Bursa, Karabuk and Kahramanmaras, with 3,500 residents evacuated and 3,000 hectares of forest destroyed northeast of Bursa.

A road incident involving firefighting personnel in Aglasan led to the deaths of two volunteers and one firefighter, while another suffered a fatal heart attack at a separate scene.

Ten people also died on 24 July in Eskisehir province during a large-scale response, the ministry confirmed.

Authorities closed a major highway and reported that temperatures reached 50.5°C in Sirnak, the highest on record.

The General Directorate of Meteorology confirmed July records were broken in 132 locations.

Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc stated that 97 people in 33 provinces were under investigation in connection to fire activity.

Police intervened in the village of Harmancik after a crowd gathered outside a station demanding the release of a suspected arsonist.

Greece battles wildfires on multiple fronts

Greece is managing widespread fire outbreaks across urban and island regions after a week-long heatwave, with BBC and The Guardian reporting mass evacuations and property damage.

In Kryoneri, a northern suburb of Athens, residents were ordered to evacuate after fires entered residential areas.

Civil protection minister Giannis Kefalogiannis said: “We have injured firefighters, human lives were put at risk, properties have been burned, and forest areas have been destroyed.”

The fire service deployed 145 firefighters, 44 engines, 10 planes and seven helicopters to the area.

Fires remained active in Evia, Kythera, Crete and the Peloponnese, with police patrols deployed to evacuated zones to prevent looting.

A fire near Pissona on Evia destroyed farmland and power infrastructure and resulted in six hospitalisations, according to local officials.

Kythera’s deputy mayor Giorgos Komninos said: “Houses, beehives, olive trees have been burnt… A monastery is in direct danger right now.”

The fire on Kythera had burned approximately 20% of the island by Sunday.

According to Euractiv, Greece requested aircraft via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, with Czech and Italian resources arriving first.

Greece’s fire service remains on alert after the country’s most destructive wildfire season in 2023, when 175,000 hectares were burned.

Bulgaria declares disaster zones as fires increase

Bulgaria is experiencing over 230 active wildfires, with AP News reporting that the worst outbreaks are along the southern borders with Greece and Turkey and in the west near Serbia.

The government has declared disaster zones and issued red alerts for nearly half the country due to ongoing extreme temperatures and wind.

In Strumyani, fire crews withdrew from overnight flare-ups and were reinforced by military support.

Residents in Tran were evacuated as flames moved close to residential buildings.

Alexander Djartov, chief of the National Fire Service, said Bulgaria had formally requested international help.

Aircraft from the Czech Republic, Slovakia, France, Hungary and Sweden were due to arrive by Sunday evening.

Authorities said they remain concerned about the risk of new ignitions amid persistent heat and drought.

France reports flare-ups in southern coastal region

In southern France, a wildfire in the Aude region burned 600 hectares on Saturday, as reported by The Guardian.

Strong winds pushed the fire from open land into residential zones, leading to the evacuation of two campgrounds and ten homes.

Authorities confirmed the destruction of two houses and deployed 630 firefighters and a dozen aircraft to the scene.

Three firefighters were treated for smoke inhalation.

Local government repurposed a gymnasium as a shelter for displaced residents.

The blaze occurred less than a month after a separate fire in Narbonne burned 2,100 hectares and required 1,000 personnel to control.

Deputy prefect Rémi Recio said windy conditions were complicating containment efforts in the region.

Heatwave and wind amplify fire risk across region

The eastern Mediterranean has seen daily fire activity driven by prolonged drought, high winds and extreme heat, according to data from meteorological authorities and national fire services.

Turkey recorded its highest-ever temperature of 50.5°C in Sirnak, while Greece saw sustained highs above 40°C.

Authorities in all affected countries have warned that extinguished fires may reignite and urged the public to follow emergency instructions.

Emergency services across the region continue to manage widespread evacuations and resource deployment, with support from the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.

Many areas remain under critical alert status due to dry fuel loads, unstable wind patterns and forecasted temperature spikes.

While some fire fronts have been stabilised, others remain uncontrolled.

National leaders continue to coordinate international assistance and monitor infrastructure threats, including highways, power lines and water systems.

Eastern Mediterranean wildfires force evacuations and international firefighting response: Summary

Wildfires have spread across Turkey, Greece, Bulgaria and France in July 2025.

All four countries have reported evacuations, fatalities and destroyed property.

According to AP News, Turkey recorded 17 deaths and 3,000 hectares burned near Bursa.

BBC News and The Guardian reported evacuations in Athens suburbs and on islands including Evia and Kythera.

Bulgaria confirmed 236 active fires and has requested international aircraft.

The Guardian reported that southern France deployed 630 firefighters to a fire that burned 600 hectares.

EU Civil Protection Mechanism resources were dispatched to Greece and Bulgaria.

Meteorological authorities recorded Turkey’s highest-ever temperature at 50.5°C.

Disaster zones have been declared in Turkey and Bulgaria.

Governments warned that extinguished fires could reignite due to wind and heat.

Multiple deaths occurred during fire response efforts in Turkey and Greece.

Power, water and transport infrastructure has been affected in several locations.