I documented a forest fire that broke out in Çandarli, an Aegean coastal town in Türkiye’s Izmir province, on 26 July 2024.
Forest fires along Türkiye’s Aegean coast have increased dramatically in recent years, with 2021 being one of the worst seasons on record and 2024 not far behind. Extreme heat, strong winds, and lack of rain are creating the ideal conditions for fires to spread, and many Turks blame the government’s response for the worsening situation.
The sight of fire engines and water trucks racing along the roads while planes and helicopters fly above, scooping and dropping water on the flames, are becoming a more common occurrence for locals and visitors in coastal towns who continue to enjoy their summer holidays while watching the firefighting efforts from the beaches and floating platforms that dot the coastline.
Laura Restrepo Ortega 