Welcome to our midweek round-up of the latest news and updates from Fethiye and across Turkey.
Curated from various news sources
Road Improvement Works Continue in Karagedik Neighborhood
As part of our planned road construction efforts across 41 neighborhoods, asphalt paving work is currently underway in the Karagedik neighborhood.
These works form part of our broader commitment to improving local infrastructure and ensuring safer, more convenient, and more comfortable transportation for our residents.
We thank the public for their patience during this period and will continue to share updates as progress continues throughout the remaining areas.
Source: Fethiye Belediyesi
Muğla Records the Highest Number of Forest Fires in Turkey Over the Past Decade
According to data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Muğla has become the province with the highest number of forest fires in Turkey over the last ten years. From 2014 to 2024, the province experienced 2,716 forest fires, placing it ahead of Antalya with 2,446 fires and İzmir with 1,649.
The trend has continued into 2025. As of June 27, Turkey has recorded 1,089 forest fires since the beginning of the year, which have destroyed 1,823 hectares of forest land nationwide. These figures were reported before the peak of the summer fire season, raising concern among authorities and environmental experts.
Muğla, Antalya, and İzmir Identified as Highest-Risk Areas
Mapping studies show that Muğla, Antalya, and İzmir remain the most at-risk regions for wildfires. Their location along the Mediterranean and Aegean coastlines, combined with dense forest cover, high temperatures, and increased human activity during the summer, makes them especially vulnerable.
Experts note that both climate change and human factors significantly contribute to the rise in fire incidents. Prolonged drought, rising temperatures, and erratic weather patterns have intensified the fire risk. At the same time, human negligence, such as improperly extinguished picnic fires, discarded cigarette butts, and uncontrolled agricultural burns, remains a key cause of wildfires.
Authorities continue to urge the public to exercise caution, particularly as the peak fire season approaches.
Source: https://www.gercekfethiye.com/mugla-son-10-yilda-en-fazla-orman-yangini-yasanan-il-oldu/102654/
Fethiye Municipality Expands Social Support Efforts Amid Growing Need
Fethiye Municipality has intensified its social aid activities in response to increasing economic challenges and a recent rise in house fires across the district. Speaking on the issue, Ali Rıza Kıroğlu, Director of Social Aid Affairs, stated, “We are with those in need,” underlining the municipality’s commitment to supporting vulnerable residents.
The municipality continues to operate actively across all 41 neighbourhoods in Fethiye, offering a wide range of assistance, including donations of household goods, clothing, hot meals, and food packages. The aid is carried out under the leadership of Mayor Alim Karaca, with additional support from charitable organisations and individuals.
Support for Victims of House Fires
Kıroğlu reported a notable increase in house fires, with 8 to 10 incidents recently recorded in the region. In response, the municipality has been providing both new and second-hand goods to affected families.
“We provide essential household items to citizens impacted by fires. The contributions of organisations such as the Ahbap Association and individuals like Mr. Haluk have been especially valuable in this process,” he noted.
A Call for Second-Hand Donations
Emphasising the role of community participation, Kıroğlu invited citizens to donate unused household appliances:
“We ask our citizens to share items such as refrigerators and washing machines that are in good condition. Our teams will collect and deliver them directly to families in need. This is a trust, and we deliver that trust faithfully.”
Comprehensive Social Aid Services
Fethiye Municipality’s social aid operations are supported by a structured system, including:
- Hot meal distribution through its soup kitchen
- Clothing support from a dedicated store
- Food banking services
- A “Municipality Card” system to ensure fair and sustainable aid distribution
“We’ve built a system that doesn’t only respond to emergencies, but one that supports people continuously,” Kıroğlu explained.
Economic Hardship Driving Demand
Kıroğlu also addressed the impact of rising living costs:
“We see the effects of inflation every day in the markets. Purchasing power is declining, and more families are struggling to meet basic needs. We cannot remain indifferent to this reality,” he said.
In closing, Kıroğlu stressed the importance of sustainable support:
“Everything we do must be effective and long-term. As people’s needs evolve, so must our approach.”
Injured Stork Undergoes Treatment After Rescue in Seydikemer
In the Güneşli Neighborhood of Seydikemer district, Muğla, three siblings helped rescue an injured stork found by the roadside.
Ela Akkurt and her siblings noticed the bird standing still near the road and moved it to a safe area to prevent the risk of it being hit by a vehicle. They informed local residents, who then contacted the authorities.
Following the notification, a team from Seydikemer Municipality Veterinary Services Directorate arrived and examined the stork. It was then taken into treatment.
According to local residents, a group of storks has been nesting on the Güneşli Neighborhood Mosque for around 30 years. The injured stork is believed to be one of five frequently seen in the area.
Municipal veterinarian Berke Demiröz stated that the bird is undergoing treatment and will be released back into its natural habitat once fully recovered
Source: https://www.fethiyetv.com/seydikemerde-yarali-leylegi-duyarli-gencler-kurtardi
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Volunteers Rescue Wildlife from Ashes After Devastating Fires in İzmir’s Buca District
Around 100 volunteers gathered in the fire-scorched forests of İzmir’s Buca district on July 5 to search for animals that managed to survive recent wildfires, rescuing and treating creatures found among the ashes.
The search-and-rescue effort was organised through a social media call by the Projects for Animals Association (HIPDER) and the Afalina Animal Rights Community. Despite most participants being strangers to one another, they united with a shared mission: to save lives.
Working in small groups across fire-damaged zones where containment and cooling had been completed, volunteers combed the charred landscape for signs of life. Their efforts led to the rescue of one striped viper, two sheltopusiks (a species of legless lizard), and two tortoises. A veterinarian on site treated injured animals, while healthy survivors were placed in temporary cages for protection and eventual relocation to safer habitats.
HIPDER founder Funda Bonomo said the overwhelming response was heartening.
“We wanted to rescue animals that couldn’t escape the fire but somehow survived, and either relocate them or provide medical care,” she explained. “Seeing one live animal and being able to save it makes everything worth it. If we hadn’t come today, it may have died from hunger or thirst tomorrow.”
Bonomo also expressed her sorrow at the suffering caused by human carelessness. “The fact that these animals die in their own habitat because of human irresponsibility is a heartbreaking injustice.”
Volunteer Izgen Cebbar described the emotional impact of seeing the destroyed landscape and the determination shared among those helping.
“Everyone gave their all to save even a single animal,” she said. “We ran after a lizard with everything we had, desperate to pull it out of the darkness. This has been a really difficult time for our country.”
Another volunteer, Tolga Çevik, expressed frustration over the amount of rubbish found in the forest, including bottles and even a discarded toilet.
“The forest is already ashes. But what I don’t understand is why there’s so much trash here? We’re treating nature terribly,” he said. “Some disasters may be natural, but we’re fuelling them. We’re creating the conditions for destruction.”
The search took place as Türkiye faces one of its most intense wildfire seasons in recent years. Agriculture and Forestry Minister İbrahim Yumaklı reported that 3,044 fires have occurred so far in 2025, including 1,305 in forested areas. In just the past week, 624 wildfires broke out, nearly one-fifth of the annual total.
While 621 of these have been brought under control, efforts continue in several provinces including İzmir, Sakarya, and Hatay, supported by the country’s largest-ever air and ground firefighting operation, involving 25,000 personnel.
Despite the devastation, the efforts of volunteers in Buca offered a glimmer of hope amid the ashes—proving that even in the face of loss, compassion and action can help restore life.
Source: Daily Sabah
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya Visits Fire-Affected Neighborhoods in İzmir’s Ödemiş District
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya visited the rural neighborhoods affected by recent forest fires in the Ödemiş district of İzmir province on Sunday, where he met with residents, listened to their concerns, and provided updates on ongoing recovery efforts.
Addressing the press in Karadoğan neighborhood, Yerlikaya emphasised that firefighting operations have been ongoing with full mobilisation since June 25, with all state institutions working in unison to bring the fires under control.
“We visited Suçıktı, Tosunlar, Üzümlü and Karadoğan. Immediately after the fires, AFAD coordinated damage assessments which are now nearly complete. The remaining evaluations will be finalised by tomorrow,” Yerlikaya stated.
He noted that AFAD allocated TL 30 million ($750,000) each to the governorships of İzmir and Bilecik to assist recovery efforts. In Karadoğan, 16 fully equipped temporary container homes have been installed, and additional units are being delivered to other affected areas. These containers include air conditioning, electric stoves, refrigerators, and essential household items.
Across affected districts including Ödemiş, Çeşme, Seferihisar, Buca, Bornova, and Gaziemir, a total of 228 residences, 13 workplaces, and 15 barns have been identified as severely damaged. Yerlikaya said new homes and workplaces will be handed over within five to six months under the coordination of AFAD and TOKİ.
Financial support is also being delivered swiftly. So far, TL 16.9 million (approx. $422,645) has been paid to citizens whose damage assessments are complete. Losses related to livestock, beehives, and agricultural land registered under the Farmer Registration System will be addressed in coordination with local authorities.
The Ministry of Family and Social Services is also providing compensation for household items lost in the fires.
Acknowledging concerns about damaged roads, Yerlikaya promised these would also be addressed promptly.
Recalling the tragic loss of two forest workers and one resident in the Suçıktı neighborhood, Yerlikaya extended his condolences and reiterated the government’s commitment to rebuilding. “Just as we’ve delivered 250,000 homes following the earthquake disaster, we will rebuild and hand over every damaged home, barn, and business here within six months,” he said.
He concluded by urging the public to stay vigilant against forest fire risks, especially during hot weather, and confirmed that reforestation of burned areas would begin soon.
“God willing, we will replant every tree lost, and we pray we are never tested like this again,” he said.
Source: Daily Sabah
Turkish Airlines Offers Free Studio Tours for Transit Passengers at Istanbul Airport
Turkish Airlines is enhancing the layover experience for international passengers at IGA Istanbul Airport by offering free city and studio tours for those with transit times between six and 24 hours.
One of the most popular tours takes visitors to Riva in Istanbul’s northern Beykoz district, home to Bozdağ Film Studio—Europe’s largest and the third-largest studio in the world, spanning 200 acres. Known for filming hit Turkish historical dramas such as Diriliş: Ertuğrul, Kuruluş: Osman, and Destan, the studio offers guests a unique look behind the scenes.
Passengers can explore film sets, learn about Turkish history and culture with a guide, enjoy traditional meals, take part in craft workshops like glass-making, and watch live performances such as Atların Destanı (Legend of the Horses). The tour runs daily from 12:00 to 18:00 and can be booked through the Turkish Airlines website or at the TourIstanbul office at the airport.
According to Turkish Airlines marketing manager Abdullah Yormaz, interest in the studio tours is growing, especially among fans of Turkish dramas from South America, Asia, the Middle East, and Turkic countries. So far this year, over 3,000 passengers have joined the tour.
Passengers like Mani Krishna from India and Abdulsalam Arbaoui from Tunisia praised the experience, calling it a refreshing and cultural break during long journeys.
Source: Anadolu Agency
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