Welcome to our pick of last week’s news from Fethiye and around Turkey.
Curated from various news sources.
NEWS
Forest Fires Across Four Turkish Provinces Brought Under Control Following Major Emergency Response
Wildfires that broke out across Muğla, Antalya, Afyonkarahisar and Aydın on 22 July prompted large-scale emergency responses, with precautionary evacuations carried out in Antalya and Muğla as firefighters battled challenging conditions driven by strong winds, high temperatures and low humidity.
The most significant blaze occurred in Fethiye, Muğla, where a fire broke out at around 12:30 p.m. in woodland near the Gökçeovacık area of Göcek. Starting close to residential areas, the fire spread rapidly towards nearby neighbourhoods under strong winds, prompting an immediate response from the Muğla Regional Directorate of Forestry and the Metropolitan Municipality Fire Department.
During daylight hours, firefighters deployed 14 helicopters, five firefighting aircraft, 21 water tenders, nine water tankers, three bulldozers and around 200 personnel in an effort to contain the advancing flames. As conditions worsened, authorities ordered the precautionary evacuation of İnlice neighbourhood to ensure the safety of residents and visitors.
After nightfall, aerial operations were suspended and a crisis coordination centre, led by the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), oversaw continued ground operations involving 417 personnel and 126 vehicles, including heavy machinery, 53 water tenders, 16 tankers, six TOMA water cannon vehicles, medical teams and mobile communications units.
Following hours of overnight firefighting, Muğla Governor İdris Akbıyık confirmed that the fire’s intensity had been significantly reduced and its momentum broken. Authorities later confirmed there had been no loss of life or injuries, although damage to forested areas was reported. Cooling operations continued while investigators examined the cause of the fire.
Elsewhere, another forest fire broke out around midday in the Çamlıca neighbourhood of Antalya’s Kepez district. Five firefighting helicopters, four aircraft and ground crews were dispatched to the scene. Several homes close to the fire were evacuated as a precaution, while residents cleared vegetation around their properties and gendarmerie teams restricted access to areas considered at risk.
In Afyonkarahisar, a fire started at around 1 p.m. in woodland between the towns of Sülün and Büyükkalecik and the Bayraktepe neighbourhood. Fire engines, forestry vehicles, heavy machinery and emergency personnel responded, with aerial support requested due to the difficult terrain. Thick smoke from the blaze was visible from the city centre.
Meanwhile, firefighters successfully brought a forest fire near Kayran neighbourhood in Kuyucak, Aydın under control following coordinated aerial and ground operations. Cooling work continued in the affected area.
Authorities reminded the public to observe regional fire restrictions, avoid burning stubble or garden waste, and exercise extreme caution during the current period of heightened wildfire risk.
Sources: Hürriyet Daily News/Anadolu Agency
Turkey Warns of Tough Penalties for Causing Forest Fires
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has reminded the public that causing a forest fire through negligence can lead to prison sentences of up to 10 years, while deliberately setting forest fires carries a penalty of life imprisonment, as Turkey continues to battle an increase in summer wildfires.
In a statement shared on social media, the ministry stressed that many forest fires are caused by preventable human actions and urged people to take extra care during the high-risk fire season.
Officials warned that lighting fires outside designated areas, leaving campfires unattended or not fully extinguished, discarding lit cigarette butts, or leaving other fire-causing waste in forests can result in one to three years in prison, as well as judicial fines. The same penalties apply to those who burn stubble or vegetation within four kilometres of forests or in protected village areas.
The ministry said anyone whose negligence causes a forest fire faces three to 10 years’ imprisonment.
Those found guilty of intentionally setting forest fires face a minimum of 10 years in prison, together with substantial judicial fines. If the offence is committed as part of organised criminal activity, the penalty increases to life imprisonment and significantly higher fines.
Authorities also warned that additional criminal penalties may apply if a forest fire results in injury or loss of life, urging the public to remain vigilant and help protect Turkey’s forests during the summer months.
Source: Daily Sabah
Trilingual Directional Signs in Fethiye Praised as Calls Grow for Ölüdeniz Update
The introduction of trilingual directional signs across Fethiye has been welcomed by tourists, local residents and tourism professionals, with many now calling for a similar upgrade to signage in Ölüdeniz, one of the region’s most popular tourist destinations.
The decorative signs, featuring information in Turkish, English and Chinese, have been installed at key locations across Fethiye by Fethiye Municipality to help both domestic and international visitors navigate the town more easily. In addition to improving accessibility, the signs have also been praised for enhancing the town’s appearance and reinforcing its image as a modern tourism destination.
The project was approved unanimously during the Fethiye Municipal Council’s July 2025 meeting, where councillors backed plans to introduce multilingual directional signs at selected locations throughout the district.
Tourism representatives said the signs had been particularly well received by foreign visitors, making it easier for them to find historical sites, tourist attractions and other key destinations.
They added that providing information in Turkish, English and Chinese reflects Fethiye’s international outlook and offers a more welcoming experience for visitors from around the world.
Following the success of the project in Fethiye town centre, tourism professionals and local residents are now urging authorities to update the directional signs in Ölüdeniz, which attracts millions of domestic and international visitors each year.
They noted that many existing signs in the resort have deteriorated due to prolonged exposure to the sun and harsh weather conditions and would benefit from replacement.
The tourism sector is calling for new multilingual signs to be installed at some of Ölüdeniz’s busiest attractions, including Belcekız Beach, the Babadağ Cable Car, the Lycian Way and Kumburnu Nature Park.
Representatives believe extending the multilingual signage system across all of Fethiye’s major tourist areas would improve the visitor experience and further strengthen the district’s reputation as an internationally recognised tourism destination.
New Parking Charges Introduced at Fethiye Migros Car Park
A new paid parking system has been introduced at the Migros store on 22 Metre Road in Fethiye’s Tuzla neighbourhood, with motorists now facing charges if they remain in the car park for more than one hour.
Under the new policy, customers can park free of charge for the first hour. However, vehicles that exceed the one-hour limit will be charged according to the length of their stay.
The new parking tariff is as follows:
0–1 hour: Free
1–2 hours: 200 TL
2–3 hours: 300 TL
3–4 hours: 400 TL
4–6 hours: 500 TL
6–12 hours: 600 TL
12–24 hours: 1,000 TL
The new system is designed to encourage short-term parking and improve the availability of spaces for shoppers using the store. Motorists are advised to check the time limits carefully to avoid unexpected parking charges.
Source: Fethiyeninellitonu
Road Widening Work Begins on Seydikemer Highlands Road
Road widening work has officially begun on the Seydikemer Highlands Road, marking the start of a major project aimed at improving one of the region’s most challenging transport routes.
The works are expected to address long-standing concerns from local residents, who have faced difficulties using the road for many years.
As part of the project, trees and rocks along the forested sections of the route are being cleared in a controlled manner while heavy machinery continues widening the carriageway.
Once completed, the Fethiye–Söğüt road will become a fully dual-lane route, allowing traffic to flow in both directions more safely and efficiently.
The project is expected to ease traffic congestion, particularly during the busy summer season when the route experiences a significant increase in vehicle numbers. It will also improve road safety and reduce travel times for both local residents and visitors travelling to the highland areas.
Source: https://www.fethiyetv.com/seydikemer-yayla-yolunda-yol-genisletme-calismalari-basladi
Powerful storm engulfs Istanbul, reducing visibility
A powerful storm swept across Istanbul on Wednesday evening after weather authorities issued warnings, disrupting daily life, particularly on the city’s European side, while forcing some incoming flights to remain in holding patterns before landing.
The storm intensified across the city after forecasts by the Turkish State Meteorological Service, bringing strong winds and dust clouds that significantly reduced visibility in several districts.
The European side was hit hardest, with Silivri, Esenyurt, Küçükçekmece, Kağıthane, Başakşehir, Avcılar and Arnavutköy among the areas most affected.
Dust carried by strong winds reduced visibility in districts including Küçükçekmece, Sarıyer, Gaziosmanpaşa, Sefaköy, Büyükçekmece and Başakşehir districts, where the upper floors of high-rise buildings disappeared from view. Drivers slowed traffic as visibility deteriorated, while pedestrians struggled to walk against the powerful gusts.
The storm also caused widespread property damage. Strong winds tore roofs off residential buildings in Istanbul’s Zeytinburnu and Esenler districts, while debris from damaged rooftops was blown onto streets in Bahçelievler and Beyoğlu.
In Bahçelievler, a fallen tree damaged a parked motorcycle and a car, while strong winds also caused damage to a residential building in Esenyurt’s Kozapark complex.
On the Asian side, beachgoers at Burunbahçe in Beykoz rushed away from the shoreline as winds intensified, while street vendors along the coast struggled amid blowing sand.
Adverse weather also disrupted air traffic, with several aircraft approaching Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gökçen Airport forced to circle in holding patterns before receiving clearance to land.
Source: Daily Sabah
U.K. Boy Brings ‘Cake Not Hate’ Campaign to Istanbul
Twelve-year-old autistic campaigner Joshua Harris from the U.K. has brought his “Cake Not Hate” initiative to Istanbul, where he is spending 10 days visiting mosques and handing out homemade cakes to worshippers and visitors.
Accompanied by his father, Dan Harris, Joshua has already visited several of the city’s most iconic mosques, including Süleymaniye, Fatih, Büyük Çamlıca, Mihrimah Sultan and Taksim mosques, with more visits planned.
The campaign began after an anti-Muslim hate incident at a mosque in Peterborough, England, in 2025. In response, Joshua and his father baked cakes and distributed them to worshippers as a gesture of solidarity. Despite receiving threats, they continued their efforts, expanding the initiative internationally and visiting more than 100 mosques across the U.K. to promote unity and stand against Islamophobia.
SPORT
Thank you to Brian Lloyd for the Fethiyespor update.
Fethiyespor Strengthens Squad with New Signings
Fethiyespor has continued to bolster its squad ahead of the new TFF 2. Lig season with the signings of Jamal Camcı, Alberk Koç and Cengiz Demir.
The latest arrival is Jamal Camcı, a Turkish-born centre-forward who previously played for Swiss club FC Basel. The young striker signed his contract in the presence of Football Operations Manager Uğur Keskin, with the club welcoming him and wishing him success in the navy-blue and white shirt.
Fethiyespor has also completed the signing of Alberk Koç, who joins from Aliağa FK. During his career, Koç has made 24 Süper Lig appearances and 24 Turkish Cup appearances, as well as winning two league titles.
Defender Cengiz Demir has also joined the club from Serikspor. A graduate of the Antalyaspor youth academy, Demir has made 26 Süper Lig appearances during his career.
All ??? players signed their contracts at ceremonies attended by Football Operations Manager Uğur Keskin, as Fethiyespor continues to strengthen its squad in preparation for the new season.
League Matches
Fethiyespor will play the first game of the season at home against 52 Orduspor FK. on Sunday, 6 September 2026. The kick-off time is still to be announced.
Stay connected with all things Fethiyespor — join the Fethiyespor Yabancilar Facebook group for breaking news, new signings, matchday updates, and community discussions.
You can also follow Fethiyespor on Twitter and Instagram
Turkish Lira (TL) exchange rates
The British Pound bought 63.06 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 63.41 TL.
The US Dollar bought 47.34 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 47.14 TL.
The Euro bought 53.86 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 53.93 TL.
Source: exchangerates.org.uk
Weather Forecast
Here’s your weather forecast for the week ahead.
Source: Living Earth
