Overview

• As of July 24, fires remain active in Sakarya and Bilecik provinces under temperatures soaring to 45 °C and gusty winds
• A rare fire tornado formed over Sakarya on July 23, generating a rotating column of flames and ash that hindered containment efforts
• Ten firefighting personnel died and fourteen were hospitalized after being trapped in a cave by sudden shifts in fire direction
• Authorities have detained 23 individuals on suspicion of negligent ignition and evacuated six villages to safeguard residents
• Experts warn that prolonged drought and climate-driven heatwaves could increase the frequency of extreme fire phenomena