Welcome to our midweek round-up of the latest news and updates from Fethiye and across Turkey.
Curated from various news sources
First Snow of the Year Falls on the High Mountains of Seydikemer
Seydikemer, Muğla – The first snow of the season has fallen on Erendağı and the surrounding highlands in Muğla’s Seydikemer district, blanketing the mountains in white early on Wednesday, October 8, 2025.
The picturesque sight of snow-capped peaks drew the attention of locals and nature enthusiasts, marking the first signs of winter in the region. Residents shared photos of the snow-covered landscape, celebrating the return of cooler weather after a long, warm summer.
The snowfall on Erendağı signals the gradual seasonal shift across Muğla’s interior, as temperatures begin to drop in the higher elevations while coastal areas continue to experience mild autumn weather.
Source: https://www.gercekfethiye.com/seydikemer-in-yuksek-daglarina-yilin-ilk-kari-dustu/108480/
Turkish Motocross Championship Returns to Fethiye After a 7-Year Break
Fethiye, Muğla – The Turkish Motocross Championship is returning to Fethiye, Muğla, after a 7-year hiatus, with adrenaline-fueled races set to take place on Sunday, October 19, 2025, at the Esenköy Akdeniz Offroad Park.
Organized by the Turkish Motorcycle Federation and the Fethiye Forest Sports Club, and held under the auspices of Fethiye Municipality, the event marks the fifth round of the national championship.
Professional and amateur riders from across Turkey will gather in Fethiye to test their speed, skill, and endurance on one of the country’s most challenging motocross tracks. The races are scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m., with competitions running throughout the day before culminating in an awards ceremony at 4:30 p.m.
This long-awaited return of the championship promises a thrilling day for motorsport enthusiasts and spectators alike.
Source: https://www.fethiyetv.com/7-yil-aradan-sonra-turkiye-motokros-sampiyonasi-fethiyede
International Support Grows for the “Clean Fethiye” Campaign
Fethiye, Muğla – Support continues to grow for the “Clean Fethiye” campaign, launched by Fethiye Municipality to raise environmental awareness — a movement that has already generated widespread national interest across Turkey.
Most recently, FET Media owner Muhammet Tatlı initiated an international project to draw global attention to the campaign. The awareness initiative, held in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Montenegro, received enthusiastic support from both locals and tourists visiting historical and cultural sites in the region.
Through this international outreach, the “Clean Fethiye” campaign continues to expand its message of environmental responsibility and sustainable living, promoting Fethiye as a model for eco-conscious communities worldwide.
Source: Fethiye Belediyesi
Fethiye Receives 223 Kilograms of Rainfall per Square Meter in 5 Days
Fethiye, Muğla – According to data from the General Directorate of Meteorology, Fethiye recorded the highest rainfall in Muğla Province between October 4 and 8 (6:00 a.m.), with a total of 223 kilograms of rain per square meter. The heavy downpours, which began on October 4, brought thunderstorms and flooding to several districts across the region.
The continuous rainfall particularly affected Fethiye, Dalaman, and Seydikemer, where flooding disrupted daily life. In some areas of Fethiye, residents were even seen using canoes to navigate flooded streets.
Following Fethiye, Köyceğiz recorded 209 kg/m², Seydikemer 169.4 kg/m², Marmaris 114 kg/m², Ula (Akyaka) 97.3 kg/m², Menteşe 86.4 kg/m², Dalaman 76.4 kg/m², Kavaklıdere 39.6 kg/m², Yatağan 29.8 kg/m², Milas 21.6 kg/m², and Bodrum 21.3 kg/m². Datça received the least rainfall in the province, with 3.8 kg/m² recorded during the same period.
Meteorological officials noted that precipitation data for Ortaca was not included in the latest report. The unusually high rainfall has prompted renewed calls for caution and preparedness in flood-prone areas across Muğla.
Source: https://www.fethiyetv.com/fethiyeye-5-gunde-metrekareye-223-kilogram-yagis-dustu
Metropolitan Municipality Gives a Modern Touch to Viticulture
Fethiye, Muğla – Muğla Metropolitan Municipality has taken a major step toward modernizing viticulture in the region through a new partnership with the Yeşilüzümlü Agricultural Development Cooperative. Under the protocol signed between the two institutions, the first trial wine production has been successfully carried out using grapes harvested in Yeşilüzümlü.
As part of the collaboration, the wine production facility located at the Fethiye Karaçulha Fruit and Vegetable Wholesale Market was allocated for use by the cooperative. The modern facility is equipped to process at least three tons of grapes per hour and has an annual production capacity of 45,000 bottles. This will enable cooperative members to produce high-quality, branded wines and increase the value of their local products.
In addition to this protocol, the Muğla Metropolitan Municipality has also launched the Collection Vineyard Project in Yeşilüzümlü to strengthen and preserve the region’s winemaking heritage. Established on 17,000 square meters of municipal land, the vineyard is cultivating 36 grape varieties and 2,650 rootstocks, including both local and industrial types.
With an investment cost of 10,612,040 TL, the project aims to combine traditional viticulture with modern techniques, ensuring that Yeşilüzümlü’s long-standing grape-growing culture is passed on to future generations.
Added Value for Tourism and the Economy
The new initiatives are expected to bring significant added value to both agriculture and tourism in Yeşilüzümlü. The branding and marketing of locally produced wines will offer visitors a new cultural experience and boost the regional economy.
Agricultural Engineer Fazıl Kavukoğlu from the Muğla Metropolitan Municipality’s Agricultural Services Department explained:
“The collection vineyard we established on a 17,000-square-meter area with 36 varieties and 2,650 grape stems will preserve Yeşilüzümlü’s viticulture tradition and carry it into the future. Under the leadership of our Mayor, Mr. Ahmet Aras, we will continue our efforts to improve agricultural quality, support cooperatives, and develop branding.”
Muğla Metropolitan Municipality Mayor and Coastal Aegean Municipalities Union President Ahmet Aras emphasized that the project aims to strengthen both producers and the local economy:
“Every product grown in Muğla’s fertile lands is not just an economic value but a cultural heritage. With this protocol in Yeşilüzümlü, we are merging traditional viticulture wisdom with modern production. By working hand in hand with cooperatives, we aim to enhance quality, support branding, and promote sustainable agriculture that benefits both producers and tourism.”
This initiative marks a new chapter in Fethiye’s viticulture, blending the rich heritage of Yeşilüzümlü with innovative, sustainable wine production that will serve as a model for the wider region.
Source: https://www.fethiyetv.com/buyuksehirden-bagciliga-modern-dokunus
New Law Makes Blocking Traffic a Crime in Turkey
Ankara, Turkey – With the new Judicial Reform Package, “blocking traffic” has officially become a criminal offense in Turkey — a change that could have major consequences for wedding and military convoys, which are common sights on the streets of Fethiye, especially during the summer months.
Lawyer Şükrü Köse commented on the new regulation, noting its potential impact on both local residents and tourism in Fethiye. He emphasized that ensuring traffic order in a busy tourist destination is essential not just for daily life, but also for the city’s economy, which welcomes millions of visitors each year.
“In a tourist city like Fethiye, traffic order is critical not only for residents but also for the city’s economy. Wedding and military convoys, which we frequently encounter in the summer months, will no longer be treated as simple traffic violations — they will now be classified as crimes,” Köse explained.
Under the new law, anyone who blocks or obstructs traffic — for instance, by stopping on the road during a convoy — could face criminal penalties, including imprisonment, instead of just administrative fines.
Köse noted that the new regulation will allow police and gendarmerie to respond more quickly and effectively, improving deterrence:
“This regulation is crucial for both traffic and tourism safety. Thanks to it, law enforcement will be able to intervene immediately, and we’ll see fewer road blockages during weddings or military celebrations. This will make Fethiye’s roads safer for both residents and visitors, improving quality of life and strengthening the city’s tourism image.”
The new measure marks a major shift in traffic enforcement, sending a clear message that blocking public roads — even for celebrations — will no longer be tolerated in Fethiye or across Turkey.
Turkey Faces One of Its Worst Forest Fire Seasons in Years
Turkey is experiencing one of its most severe forest fire seasons in recent memory, with tens of thousands of hectares of forest and rural land already affected. Experts warn that human negligence, agricultural sparks, and natural causes such as lightning are the main drivers, while southern regions continue to face high fire risks due to ongoing hot and dry weather.
According to Associate Professor Serhun Sağlam from Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, more than 6,800 fires have been recorded in 2025—2,800 in forests and 4,000 in rural areas—destroying approximately 80,000 hectares of land. While the number of fires this year exceeds 2021, the year with the largest burned area at 139,503 hectares, 2025 ranks as the second-highest in the last decade.
Sağlam highlighted that fires in rural areas often spread to forests, and vice versa, making prevention and control more complex. He also noted that half of the fires this year have unknown origins, though human negligence remains the leading factor. Common causes include discarded cigarettes, sparks from agricultural machinery, uncontrolled waste burning, and accidents near forest edges, while lightning strikes and energy transmission lines have also contributed.
The Aegean and Mediterranean regions remain particularly vulnerable until mid-October, while northern and coastal provinces like Istanbul have seen cooler weather, reducing fire risk. Recent incidents in Köyceğiz, where 2,500 hectares burned, and Antalya, with two separate fires, show the threat remains real despite seasonal changes.
Sağlam stressed the importance of public awareness and education, calling for school programs and community campaigns to teach safe practices and fire prevention:
“Society’s vigilance is critical to protecting Turkey’s forests for future generations.”
Authorities continue to urge residents and farmers in high-risk areas to take precautions, particularly in the south, where hot, dry conditions and strong winds make fire outbreaks more likely.
