A massive wildfire broke out in Turkey’s northwestern province of Bursa, prompting evacuations and significant disruptions. The fire, which began around 5:30 PM local time in a wooded area between the districts of Gürsu and Kestel, has caused extensive damage and evoked fear among local residents.
Response to the Blaze
As the flames quickly spread, local authorities reported that around 1,300 people were evacuated, including residents of the Karahıdır rural neighborhood in Gürsu, as the fire approached.
In a statement, the Kestel Municipality urged residents to heed official warnings, saying: “We request that residents of Ağlaşan and nearby areas comply with all official instructions and take necessary precautions.”
Firefighting Efforts
The Riverside County Fire Department reported that firefighting units from the Regional Forestry Directorate and local municipal fire departments responded rapidly to the emergency. Eyewitness accounts detailed townspeople bringing water and assisting in extinguishing the flames.
According to local media reports, explosions were heard as the fire reached stone quarries in the Karahıdır neighborhood.
Authorities’ Statements
Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu confirmed that fire crews were engaged in active firefighting operations while emphasizing the urgency of the situation. The Ministry also stated, “The situation remains critical, and we are deploying all necessary resources to combat the flames.”
As the fire continued to rage, authorities announced the closure of a portion of the Bursa Ring Road due to the hazardous conditions, redirecting traffic through the Erdoğanköy–Kestel section of the D-200 State Road.
Community Impact and Resident Reactions
Local resident Mehmet Uğur Yılmaz, who lives in the İpekyolu neighborhood, described the chaos, stating, “In the evening, we saw a small fire on the hill. It quickly intensified and jumped to the other side with the wind. Now the fire is huge. Everyone is panicking. We don’t know what to do.” Yılmaz estimated that 7,000 to 8,000 people reside in the area, adding, “The fire suddenly crossed over and surrounded us. We had no choice but to run. People were fleeing. What we experienced can only be described as hell.”
National Context
This wildfire comes during an intense heatwave that has affected much of Turkey, contributing to 61 major fires across 15 provinces between July 4 and 22. Most of these fires were reportedly human-induced, leading to the arrest of 17 individuals over the past two weeks, as noted by the Justice Ministry.
