Wildfires force evacuations and road closures on Turkey's western and southern coasts

Active fires have erupted in the Kaş district of Antalya and in Muğla province, prompting authorities to order evacuations and close sections of major highways. The blazes, intensified by an ongoing heat wave that has pushed temperatures to record levels, have spread across six provinces in southwestern Turkey, prompting a coordinated response from the national disaster management agency and local fire brigades.

Firefighters are battling the flames with aerial water drops and ground crews while residents in affected villages are being relocated to temporary shelters. The extreme heat, which has persisted for several days, is cited as a key factor in the rapid expansion of the fires, leading officials to issue warnings about heightened fire risk throughout the region. As containment efforts continue, authorities have urged the public to avoid non‑essential travel on the closed roadways and to comply with evacuation orders until the situation stabilizes.