Intense firefighting efforts are ongoing across northwestern Türkiye as wildfires that erupted in Tekirdağ’s Şarköy district spread rapidly into the Gelibolu region of Çanakkale province, while a separate blaze continues to burn in Ayvacık district.

Firefighting teams, both in the air and on the ground, are working around the clock to contain the flames. Authorities have ordered the precautionary evacuation of multiple villages and neighborhoods as the fires, fueled by strong winds, threaten residential areas and forests.

In Şarköy, the fire broke out yesterday afternoon in agricultural land near the İstiklal neighborhood. Within hours, it spread to nearby forested areas and jumped provincial borders into Çanakkale. As of early this morning, 21 aircraft have resumed aerial firefighting operations, marking over 18 hours of continuous efforts.

On the ground, nearly 100 water tenders and approximately 400 personnel have been mobilized to tackle the blaze. Operations are being coordinated from a mobile crisis center established by the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), with Tekirdağ Governor Recep Soytürk and Forestry General Director Bekir Karacabey overseeing the response efforts on-site.

Evacuations have been carried out in the villages of Şenköy, Kızılcaterzi, and Kocali. According to local officials, four individuals were hospitalized due to smoke inhalation but are reported to be in stable condition.

Governor Soytürk, who was joined by Tekirdağ Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Candan Yüceer and Forestry General Director Karacabey during site inspections, commented on the possible cause of the fire. “Although not yet confirmed, we have received reports of a bird striking a power line north of Şenköy two days ago, possibly triggering a similar incident,” he said.

Soytürk added that no military zones in Tekirdağ province have been affected by the fire, and based on current information, military sites in Çanakkale also appear to be safe.

Meanwhile, a separate wildfire that broke out on July 15 in Ayvacık’s Naldöken village continues to pose a threat as winds drive the flames toward the villages of Tuzla, Taşağıl, and Çamköy. Forestry teams worked through the night to prevent the fire from spreading further.

At first light, two helicopters joined the firefighting efforts in Ayvacık, providing much-needed air support to assist ground crews in containment operations.

Authorities continue to monitor both fire zones closely and have urged residents to remain vigilant and follow evacuation and safety instructions. Investigations into the causes of the fires are ongoing. (ILKHA)