Severe forest fires in Izmir: What travelers to Türkiye need to know now

The Turkish province of Izmir on the Aegean Sea, otherwise known for its mild climate, ancient sites and holiday resorts such as Çeşme and Alaçatı, is currently affected by severe forest fires:

Severe forest fires have been raging in several districts since the weekend. Strong winds, high temperatures, and dry vegetation have exacerbated the situation within hours. In some regions, residential areas had to be evacuated, houses burned down, and Izmir International Airport was temporarily completely closed.

What this means for travelers, which areas are affected and how the situation is developing: the most important facts at a glance.

Izmir is Turkey 's third-largest city and is located on the country's west coast, directly on the Aegean Sea. The fires in the province of the same name are concentrated in several areas:

The Kuyucak Mahallesi area in Menderes and the Doğanbey Mahallesi district in Seferihisar are particularly affected. There, firefighters, with aerial support, are battling the flames, which are being further fanned by strong winds.

As Turkish broadcaster TRT reports, the fires spread toward residential areas overnight into Monday, driven by dry vegetation and wind. In the Doğankent settlement alone, with 345 households, numerous houses were destroyed, and two vehicles burned out.

Aerial view of damaged houses and burned forest area after the outbreak of the forest fire in Seferihisar district of Izmir, Türkiye, on June 30, 2025.

Source: IMAGO/Anadolu Agency

In the Seferihisar district, the towns of Atatürk , Cumhuriyet , Orhanlı , Payamlı, and Kavakdere were evacuated, Izmir Governor Süleyman Elban announced, according to TRT. Residents of the Şöhretler settlement in Cumhuriyet were also forced to leave their homes. Evacuation began in Menderes after firefighting helicopters could no longer be deployed due to strong winds.

Extinguishing operations in the forest fires in the Menderes district of Izmir are ongoing.

Source: IMAGO/Anadolu Agency

This map shows where forest fires are currently raging in Izmir. It was created using NASA data.

This map shows where forest fires are raging in Turkey on Monday, June 30, 2025.

Source: Screenshot/ Firms

Adnan Menderes International Airport was closed for hours on Sunday due to the fires and heavy smoke. "Flights were canceled or diverted to other airports," reports the Aero portal. The British newspaper "Independent" also confirms that airlines such as Turkish Airlines, Pegasus, and SunExpress had to suspend their flights on Sunday evening.

Flight operations have now resumed , according to TRT: The smoke in the Gaziemir area has subsided to the point where takeoffs and landings are possible again.

Passengers with scheduled departures or arrivals in Izmir should check with their airline or the Adnan Menderes Airport website for the latest information. Diversions to other airports are also still possible.

"The forest fires directly threaten populated areas," warns Turkish broadcaster TRT. In Seferihisar, the fire has already reached holiday homes, and in Buca, the flames even spread to the Otokent Galericiler Sitesi industrial park. Numerous vehicles were engulfed in flames. According to Aero, police TOMA emergency vehicles and over 1,100 emergency personnel continue to battle the fires. Six firefighting aircraft and over 20 special vehicles are in use.

A major problem: wind gusts of up to 117 kilometers per hour make firefighting operations considerably more difficult.

Anyone currently on holiday in Izmir should constantly keep themselves informed about local warnings , strictly avoid staying in forest areas and follow the instructions of the authorities .

Travelers planning a vacation to Izmir and the surrounding region should definitely check before departure whether there are any fires or restrictions near their destination. If the destination is affected, it is advisable to contact the tour operator or accommodation early.

In its travel and safety advice for Turkey , the Federal Foreign Office points out that forest fires may occur in the country during the summer months due to the prevailing climatic conditions. Travelers should follow the advice of the Turkish Civil Protection and Emergency Management Agency (AFAD) .

Forest fires are considered extraordinary circumstances. However, there are legal differences between package tours and individual tours. With package tours, travelers can withdraw from the travel contract free of charge under certain circumstances. "The tour operator must then refund the price," travel lawyer Paul Degott told reisereporter.

However, package holidaymakers can only invoke exceptional circumstances if the forest fires are in the immediate vicinity of the holiday destination and there are concrete disruptions such as ash rain or evacuation.

Anyone already in Izmir who is suddenly affected by the fires can cancel their trip early with their tour operator. The additional costs for the early return trip must then be split between the traveler and the operator, according to Degott. There are also claims for reductions.

Travelers who aren't starting their vacation for a few weeks should wait and see how the fires develop at their destination. Degott says that mere fear of wildfires doesn't justify a free cancellation. Furthermore, the right to free cancellation cannot be exercised if the fires are far away from the vacation destination.

Individual travelers must adhere to the terms and conditions of their flight and booked accommodation. These should outline cancellation options. Often, if a flight is operating and accommodation is available, cancellations cannot be made free of charge.

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