- Wildfires broke out Monday in Türkiye's Antalya Province, killing one person and forcing hundreds from their homes
- The Aksu fire spread into Kepez while a separate blaze ignited hours later in Serik
- At least 254 homes were evacuated and the Antalya-Isparta highway was briefly closed
- Firefighters scaled up their response to nearly 900 personnel and dozens of vehicles by the second day
- By Wednesday, authorities said nearby fires in Kumluca and Bozyazi districts were largely contained
Wildfires tore through Türkiye's coastal Antalya Province beginning Monday, killing one person and forcing hundreds of residents from their homes as strong winds drove flames through forested districts and into residential areas. The fire broke out in the Aksu district and spread into neighboring Kepez, while a separate blaze ignited hours later that night in the Serik district, damaging homes, farmland and greenhouses and knocking out power to thousands of residents.
One dead, several injured across multiple blazes
Aksu district mayor Isa Yildirim said one resident died of a heart attack after being exposed to smoke from the fire. Anadolu Agency reported that two people were hospitalized with leg injuries and six others were treated for smoke inhalation, while in Serik, three members of one household were affected by smoke and taken to safety by relatives.
The Aksu fire ignited near the Karaoz area at around 4:25 p.m. local time Monday before winds pushed it toward the nearby villages of Hatipler, Yesilkaraman, Kizilli and Camlica, eventually reaching the Antalya-Isparta highway. Crews stopped the flames from crossing the road, though it was closed as a precaution and did not fully reopen until Tuesday morning.
Evacuations mount as flames reach Antalya-Isparta highway
Authorities evacuated at least 254 homes across Aksu and Kepez, while in Serik, five homes — including one vacant property — were destroyed. Gendarmerie units told residents in Kizilli and Ilica to leave as a precaution, and crews cleared three neighborhoods along with an animal shelter in Aksu, rescuing more than 100 dogs; video showed veterinarians treating one dog for smoke exposure. Numerous greenhouses and farmland in Serik were also damaged, and the fires knocked out power to more than 2,000 homes across the region.
Firefighting response scales up over second day
Anadolu Agency reported that Monday's initial response included five aircraft, ten helicopters, 110 fire trucks and 600 personnel. As the fire entered a second day Tuesday, that presence expanded to 866 personnel, along with 149 water tenders, seven armored water-cannon vehicles and 25 pieces of heavy equipment, according to figures released during the response, with reinforcements arriving from surrounding provinces.
Antalya Metropolitan Municipality Deputy Mayor Busra Ozdemir said the wind had made the operation especially difficult, noting crews were also focused on keeping the fire from pushing farther south. "We are fighting not only the fire but also the weather, particularly the wind," Ozdemir said, adding that the response was being coordinated through Türkiye's Disaster and Emergency Management Authority.
In Serik, where three fires broke out simultaneously at around 11:30 p.m. Monday in the Deniztepesi and Sarabali areas, neighborhood head Mehmet Emin Ozen said "all the authorities provided every kind of support," adding, "with the help of all institutions, it has eased somewhat. Hopefully, we will put it out completely."
Containment expands as other regional fires ease
Local farmers pitched in using tractors and water tankers to help haul water to the fire zones, broadcaster NTV reported, as crews worked through the night and resumed aerial operations at first light Tuesday. By Wednesday, Turkey's forest authority said fires in Antalya's Kumluca district and Mersin's Bozyazi district were largely contained, even as crews continued battling active fires in Aksu and in Adana's Kozan district.
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