The death toll from devastating wildfires raging outside Bursa, Türkiye’s fourth-largest city, climbed to four late Sunday, pushing the nationwide wildfire fatality count to 17 since late June.

The latest victims include two volunteer firefighters who succumbed to injuries in hospital after their water tanker overturned while en route to combat a forest fire in Aglasan village, northeast of Bursa. Another worker perished at the scene of the crash, and a fourth firefighter suffered a fatal heart attack on Sunday.

The tragic accident occurred when the volunteer crew from Bolu province lost control of their vehicle on a rugged forest track. The blaze they were heading to tackle is one of hundreds that have scorched Türkiye over the past month, fueled by unseasonably high temperatures, dry conditions, and strong winds. On Monday morning, thick, fog-like smoke from ongoing fires and smoldering foliage blanketed Bursa, where more than 3,500 residents have been evacuated since the fires erupted over the weekend.

Türkiye’s Forestry Minister, Ibrahim Yumakli, reported that firefighting teams were battling at least 44 separate fires across the country on Sunday. The most severe blazes are concentrated in Bursa province, as well as Karabuk in the northwest and Kahramanmaras in the south. While damage to homes has been limited, vast swathes of forest have been reduced to ash. The government has declared disaster areas in the western provinces of Izmir and Bilecik to address the escalating crisis.

In a related development, tensions flared Sunday evening in Harmancik, 57 kilometers south of Bursa, where a crowd gathered outside a police station after a suspected arsonist was detained. The angry residents demanded the suspect be handed over, but police dispersed the crowd after assuring them a thorough investigation was underway. Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc confirmed that 97 individuals across 33 of Türkiye’s 81 provinces are facing prosecutions related to the wildfires, with authorities cracking down on suspected arson cases.

According to recent reports, firefighting efforts in Bursa have been bolstered by additional aerial support, including helicopters and water-dropping planes, as teams struggle to contain the rapidly spreading fires. Local authorities have issued warnings for residents to remain vigilant, as forecasts predict continued high temperatures and strong winds through mid-week, potentially exacerbating the situation. Humanitarian aid organizations have begun distributing supplies to displaced families, and temporary shelters have been established in Bursa to accommodate evacuees. The Turkish Red Crescent has also launched a donation drive to support affected communities.

The wildfires, worsened by record-breaking heatwaves across the eastern Mediterranean, have drawn international attention, with neighboring countries offering assistance. Experts warn that climate change is intensifying the frequency and severity of such disasters, prompting calls for stronger environmental policies in the region. Investigations into the causes of the fires, including possible arson, remain ongoing, with authorities urging the public to refrain from vigilante actions as legal proceedings continue. (ILKHA)