Wildfires continued to challenge firefighting crews across Türkiye’s southern province of Antalya on Tuesday, with strong winds driving flames through forested areas and threatening residential communities, agricultural land and greenhouses.

The fires, which broke out in Aksu, Kepez and Serik, prompted precautionary evacuations as firefighters and emergency teams mounted a large-scale response from the ground and air. Reinforcement teams from surrounding provinces also joined the operation.

The most extensive blaze began near Karaöz in Aksu and spread toward neighboring Kepez under the influence of strong winds. Firefighters battled the flames throughout the night using water tenders, heavy machinery and other equipment before aerial operations resumed at first light.

By Tuesday morning, five aircraft and more than 10 helicopters, together with more than 100 firefighting vehicles and hundreds of personnel, were involved in efforts to contain the fire.

The Aksu fire began in the forested area near Karaöz and subsequently spread toward Hatipler, Yeşilkaraman, Kızıllı and Çamlıca, reaching areas close to the Antalya-Isparta highway.

Fire crews managed to prevent the flames from crossing the highway after an intensive overnight operation.

The Northern Ring Road and part of the Antalya-Isparta highway were temporarily closed as a safety measure before traffic resumed under controlled conditions Tuesday morning.

The advancing flames also forced authorities to evacuate residents from several neighborhoods as a precaution.

According to the latest reports, 254 homes were evacuated and around 720 people were moved to safer areas. More than 1,000 personnel were involved in the firefighting operation, while more than 2,000 households temporarily lost electricity because of the fire.

Antalya authorities said the intensity of the fire had weakened somewhat, although crews continued working to bring it fully under control.

Strong winds remained one of the biggest obstacles confronting firefighters.

Antalya Metropolitan Municipality Deputy Mayor Büşra Özdemir said weather conditions were making the operation particularly difficult.

“We are fighting not only the fire but also the weather, particularly the wind,” Özdemir said, stressing that municipal resources and equipment had been mobilized alongside national emergency agencies.

Firefighting operations were coordinated with the participation of Türkiye’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), forestry teams, municipalities, security forces and other public institutions.

A separate wildfire erupted late Monday in Serik, affecting areas around Deniztepesi and Sarıabalı.

The flames spread rapidly amid strong winds, damaging homes, agricultural land and plastic greenhouses.

The latest reports indicate that the Serik fire was brought under control after approximately nine hours of intensive firefighting. Authorities have begun assessing the damage in the affected areas.

Several homes were damaged or destroyed. Earlier reports indicated that five homes were rendered unusable, while later local reporting put the number of homes destroyed or severely damaged at six.

No deaths were reported in the Serik fire.

Several residents were also affected by smoke and were moved away from the area as a precaution.

Agricultural areas and numerous greenhouses were damaged, threatening the livelihoods of farmers in the region.

The scale of the response reflects the seriousness of the situation.

Hundreds of firefighters, forestry workers, municipal personnel and other emergency responders remained deployed across the affected districts, supported by aircraft, helicopters, water tenders and heavy machinery.

In Aksu alone, earlier official figures cited 110 water tenders, heavy machinery and more than 600 personnel, while additional reinforcements were brought in as the fire spread.

Security forces have also been deployed to restrict access to dangerous areas and assist with evacuations.

Authorities have urged residents to follow evacuation instructions and avoid entering fire-affected zones so emergency crews can operate without obstruction.

Beyond the threat to homes and forests, the fires have caused significant damage to Antalya’s agricultural areas.

Plastic greenhouses, farmland, vehicles and other property were affected as flames moved rapidly through areas where forests and agricultural settlements lie close together.

The damage is likely to impose an additional economic burden on families already facing losses from the destruction of homes and agricultural assets.

Officials have begun assessing the extent of the damage in the affected areas, particularly in Serik, where the fire has already been brought under control.

As of Tuesday, the main firefighting effort remained focused on the Aksu-Kepez area, where crews continued attacking the flames from both the air and ground.

The immediate priority is to prevent the fire from reaching additional residential areas and to contain its spread before changing weather conditions can intensify the flames again.

The latest developments underscore the growing challenge posed by strong winds during wildfire operations, particularly in southern Türkiye, where forested areas often border densely populated settlements and agricultural land.

With firefighters continuing their battle against the flames, authorities are maintaining heightened precautions across Antalya and urging residents to remain vigilant as efforts continue to bring the remaining fires fully under control. (ILKHA)