Smoke from Dardanelles Wildfire Reaches Greece

Hundreds of residents have fled their homes in Çanakkale, northwestern Turkey, as a large wildfire has been burning since Monday afternoon. Authorities ordered precautionary evacuations in residential areas, a university campus, and military zones, urging people to avoid unnecessary travel to keep roads clear for emergency vehicles.

More than 2,000 people — 2,090 in total — were evacuated as flames destroyed houses, vehicles, and trees, while dozens were treated for smoke inhalation. Seventy-seven people were taken to hospital for medical care.

Smoke and the smell of burning crossed the Aegean Sea, reaching the Greek island of Skyros, then moving on to central and northern Evia, and further inland to parts of Lokris, eastern Phthiotis, and eastern Boeotia.

On Monday, Çanakkale’s airport, the Dardanelles Strait, and part of the national highway were closed for several hours due to the fires, reopening after sunset. The motorway between the Dardanelles and Ezine was also reopened.

Overnight battle with flames

With daylight on Tuesday, aerial firefighting operations resumed. More than 760 firefighters, supported by 10 planes, nine helicopters, and over 200 vehicles, have been deployed.

During the night, luxury homes, cars, and trees were burned in the suburb of Guzelyali on the Asian coast of the Dardanelles, as strong winds spread the fire through summer communities near the busy strait.

New blaze near Greek border

A new wildfire broke out Monday night in Enez, in Edirne province, near the Evros River delta and the Greek border. In southern Turkey, a large fire is also raging in Iskenderun, close to the Syrian border.

Fires in Aydın, Bolu, Mersin, Muğla, and Sinop have been brought under control.

Turkey, which experienced its hottest July in 55 years of weather records, has been facing massive wildfires in recent weeks. Last month, 14 people lost their lives fighting blazes in the country’s western regions