A massive wildfire in the western Turkish province of İzmir, which severely impacted the coastal resort town of Foça, has finally been brought under control after firefighters battled the inferno for over 22 hours. The blaze, which erupted on Wednesday, June 25, forced the evacuation of hundreds of residents and caused significant disruption, including chaos at İzmir Adnan Menderes Airport.

The fire reportedly started around 12:30 p.m. in a forested area of the Aliağa district, quickly spreading towards Foça due to strong winds and high temperatures. While investigations into the exact cause are ongoing, initial evidence points to a high-voltage power line malfunction as a likely ignition source. Turkish Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc confirmed the arrest of a suspect believed to have intentionally set their own house alight with gasoline, causing a separate, but related, forest fire near a dump site.

The firefighting effort was immense, involving 625 ground personnel, several aerial units including planes and 6 helicopters, as well as a fleet of fire engines, bulldozers, and water trucks. Teams worked relentlessly to contain the aggressive flames.

The blaze prompted widespread evacuations, with 175 homes in Foça’s Ilıpınar neighborhood evacuated and approximately 550 people relocated as a precautionary measure. The human toll also included four firefighters who suffered smoke poisoning, with two requiring hospitalization.

The wildfire caused significant travel disruption. Flights at İzmir Adnan Menderes Airport were suspended or canceled, leaving thousands of travelers stranded. Many incoming flights were diverted, and numerous departures to destinations including Istanbul, Copenhagen, Cologne, and London were either postponed or axed.

As of Monday morning, cooling efforts are underway in the affected areas to prevent re-ignition, with authorities urging extreme caution due to continued high temperatures and low humidity.

By: TPA News Desk | editor@thepointafricanews.com