A fast-moving wildfire that broke out Saturday afternoon in Türkiye’s northwestern province of Çanakkale has forced the evacuation of five villages, as strong winds and scorching weather complicate firefighting efforts.

The blaze, which started around 4:30 p.m. local time (1330 GMT), quickly spread through forested areas, consuming an estimated 1,200 hectares of woodland and scrubland by Sunday morning, according to the Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD).

Çanakkale Governor Ömer Toraman confirmed that a massive firefighting operation is underway, involving 11 planes, 10 helicopters, and dozens of ground crews. He emphasized that the evacuation orders were issued as a precaution, citing wind speeds of up to 50 km per hour that helped fan the flames.

“The safety of our residents is our top priority, and we are mobilizing all available resources to bring the situation under control,” Toraman said in a statement shared on social media.

Agriculture and Forestry Minister İbrahim Yumaklı also underscored that efforts continue “with full force and without interruption.” He noted that a separate fire in Kocaeli Province, which erupted Friday, was contained by Saturday evening.

While no casualties have been reported, several houses in the evacuated villages sustained minor fire damage. AFAD has set up temporary shelters for displaced residents, providing food, water, and medical assistance.

Meteorological forecasts suggest winds may weaken slightly by late Sunday, potentially aiding containment. Still, officials warned of possible flare-ups due to persistently dry and hot conditions.

The Çanakkale blaze is the latest in a series of devastating wildfires across Türkiye’s northwest, including Kocaeli and Bursa, where extreme heat, low humidity, and strong winds have made firefighting increasingly difficult.

Climate experts warn that rising temperatures and prolonged droughts are intensifying wildfire risks across the country. Authorities are urging citizens to exercise caution, particularly by avoiding activities that could spark new fires, such as open flames or discarding cigarette butts.

With fire season in full force, officials say additional emergency teams remain on standby to respond to new outbreaks. (ILKHA)