Welcome to our pick of last week’s news from Fethiye and around Turkey.
Curated from various news sources.
NEWS
Forest Fire in Fethiye Contained Within 2.5 Hours
FETHIYE, MUĞLA – A forest fire that broke out near Katrancı Bay in Fethiye on Friday was brought under control in just two and a half hours, thanks to rapid intervention by firefighting teams on land and in the air.
The blaze began at around 3:30 p.m., prompting the Muğla Regional Directorate of Forestry to dispatch two helicopters, two amphibious aircraft, 10 water trucks, four water supply vehicles, and numerous forestry workers to the scene. Firefighters also assisted in the operation.
By 6:00 p.m., the flames had been fully contained following an intensive joint effort. According to initial assessments, the fire damaged approximately 0.8 hectares of forest land. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Officials emphasised that swift response and coordinated teamwork were key to preventing the blaze from spreading further.
Source: https://www.sozcu.com.tr/fethiye-de-orman-yangini-2-5-saatte-kontrol-altina-alindi-p212498
“Clean Fethiye” Campaign Continues with New Measures
FETHIYE – The municipality has announced that efforts under the “Clean Fethiye” campaign are continuing with determination. As part of the initiative, specially designed cigarette butt holders and small trash cans have been installed in high-traffic areas across the city.
The first phase of the rollout has focused on the city centre, Paspatur, the coastline, and Çalış Beach. Alongside these improvements, the municipality is also enforcing legal measures in areas where photo traps have been placed, as well as acting on reports submitted by citizens.
Officials stressed that maintaining a clean and orderly Fethiye is a shared responsibility, underlining that the campaign’s success depends on the continued support and cooperation of residents.
Source: Fethiye Belediyesi
Renovation Work Progresses at the Özer Olgun Cultural Center
FETHIYE – Renovation work at the Özer Olgun Cultural Center is continuing at full pace, with the aim of transforming the venue into a modern cultural facility worthy of Fethiye. Every aspect of the centre is undergoing a meticulous overhaul, from the stage and seating arrangement to the acoustics and technical equipment.
The seating area will be completely renewed with a redesigned plan that rises gradually towards the back, ensuring clear visibility of the stage from every seat. In addition, the entrance will be reimagined with a “welcoming area” concept, creating a modern and spacious atmosphere for visitors.
Municipal officials stated that the renovations are designed to provide an enhanced cultural experience and to meet the needs of both performers and audiences.
Source: Fethiye Belediyesi
Important Announcement for Landowners
FETHIYE – The municipality has issued a reminder to all landowners about the dangers posed by uncontrolled weed growth and accumulated waste during the summer months. Such conditions can increase the risk of fire, attract pests, and contribute to environmental pollution.
To ensure safety and cleanliness, landowners are urged to:
- Secure the surrounding area,
- Remove weeds, brush, and waste,
- Carry out regular maintenance.
In accordance with Zoning Law No. 3194, if the required cleaning and maintenance are not completed, the municipality will undertake the work. The total cost will then be billed to the landowner, with an additional 20% surcharge applied.
Municipal officials have called on all residents to take necessary precautions, stressing the shared responsibility for maintaining a cleaner and more organised Fethiye.
Source: Fethiye Belediyesi
Turkey Designates Large Parks as Disaster Assembly Areas Under New Zoning Regulations
ANKARA – Turkey has introduced new regulations enabling large urban parks to serve as disaster assembly areas, the Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Ministry announced this week.
The amendments to the Regulation on Planned Areas Zoning were published in the Official Gazette on Wednesday and have now taken effect. The changes apply particularly to parks, child daycare centres, health facilities, and disaster response zones.
Under the new rules, parks larger than 5,000 square metres (50,000 square feet) can now be equipped with underground sewer, mechanical, electrical and communication infrastructure to support emergency operations. Fire hydrants will be installed where deemed necessary by local fire departments, and procedures have been established for building helicopter landing zones. In addition, high-density park areas may also host public health facilities.
The regulation also introduces new requirements for large-scale developments. Mixed-use projects exceeding 25,000 square metres or 250 units must include standalone family health centres, while those larger than 15,000 square metres or 150 units must provide dedicated daycare centres for children up to 66 months old, offering education, development, care, protection and nutrition services.
To modernise existing communities, the regulation further facilitates renovations on parcels without current zoning plans, allowing for the upgrading of older buildings in unplanned areas.
Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Minister Murat Kurum highlighted the broader vision of the reforms on Turkey-based social media platform Next Social, stating:
“We are strengthening our parks with new features alongside playgrounds. Parks over 5,000 square metres will be equipped to serve as assembly areas during disasters and emergencies. Our updated zoning regulation, developed with the General Directorate of Professional Services, introduces innovations for child daycare centres, health facilities and disaster response areas.”
Source: Daily Sabah
Wildfire Risk Could Persist Into September, Expert Warns
ISTANBUL – The risk of wildfires in Turkey may continue into September due to persistent heat, drought and a lack of rainfall, a leading climate change expert has warned.
Murat Türkeş, a board member of Boğaziçi University’s Climate Change and Policy Research Center, said August’s extreme conditions showed no signs of easing.
“August is already dangerous in terms of wildfire risk, but if the expected rains in the coming month do not arrive, this year’s wildfire threat could extend into September,” Türkeş cautioned.
Across Turkey, soaring temperatures, low humidity and strong winds have created highly combustible conditions, particularly in the Aegean, Mediterranean and Marmara regions. Türkeş explained that the summer of 2025 began hotter and drier than usual, placing these zones at elevated fire risk.
July saw record-breaking heat, followed by August’s “Eyyam-ı Bahur,” the year’s hottest and most humid period. Despite occasional humidity, the return of hot, dry northerly poyraz winds has left regions such as Marmara, the Western Black Sea, Northwestern Central Anatolia and the Northern Aegean up to 3–4°C warmer than normal.
“These conditions, coupled with high winds, are ideal for igniting and spreading wildfires, particularly in the western provinces of Çanakkale, Balıkesir, Manisa, İzmir and Muğla,” Türkeş said. He noted that no significant rainfall is expected through the end of August, while forecasts for September and October point to warmer and drier-than-average weather.
“Given these forecasts, we have to consider September a fire-risk month this year,” he added, calling for restrictions on outdoor fires, including picnics, until at least October.
The warning comes as multiple wildfires continue to burn across the country. In Mersin’s Silifke district, blazes that broke out at three points have entered their third day, prompting the evacuation of nearly 1,900 residents from six neighbourhoods. In Anamur, a second major fire continued into its second day, forcing the evacuation of the Kuyubaşı neighbourhood.
Elsewhere, fires remain active in Hatay’s Hassa and Yayladağı districts. A blaze in Antakya’s Narlıca neighbourhood was brought under control within an hour, with cooling operations ongoing as of August 15.
British Tourist Dies After Being Run Over Twice in Fethiye
FETHIYE, TURKEY – A British tourist has died after being struck twice by a car driven by an alleged drunk driver while on holiday in Fethiye.
Lisa Di Palma, 61, from east London, was on holiday with her husband Keith celebrating their wedding anniversary when the incident occurred on 6 August.
She was hit while using a pedestrian crossing on Cahit Beğenç Boulevard in the Foça neighbourhood of Fethiye.
Her husband reported that the driver initially struck Lisa, causing serious injuries to her hip and leg. He claimed that in an attempt to flee the scene, the driver hit her a second time.
Lisa Di Palma was taken to hospital and placed in intensive care, but tragically died at around 5 a.m. Her family has since flown to Turkey following her death.
Local reports state that authorities have launched an investigation into the incident, which allegedly involved a drunk driver.
Source: https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/breaking-brit-tourist-61-dies-35727027
SPORT
Thank you to Brian Lloyd for the Fethiyespor update.
Fethiyespor Concludes Kartepe Training Camp Ahead of New Season
KOCAELI – Fethiyespor, preparing for competition in the TFF 2nd League Red Group, has wrapped up its two-stage training camp at Kartepe, Kocaeli. Following the camp, Manager Selahaddin Dinçel granted players time off until Monday, when preparations will resume in Fethiye for the upcoming season opener against Ankara Demirspor.
The navy blue and white squad played a series of friendly matches during the camp, including a 2–1 victory over Karşıyaka and a 3–0 defeat to Saudi Pro League side Al-Kholood at the Metin Oktay Stadium in Kartepe Green Park. Dinçel noted that the team had played more than the recommended number of friendlies, but emphasised that the camp had been productive.
On the final day, the team was visited by Fethiyespor Fan Association members Şaban Tokgöz and Cemal Tufan, who shared a baklava feast with the players after training, lifting spirits ahead of the new season.
Manager Dinçel expressed satisfaction with the team’s progress, stating:
“Our training camp has been very busy. We’ve made the necessary additions to the squad and plan to bring in one or two more players. Our restructuring from last year is continuing this season with an even stronger structure. I thank our president Esat Bakırcı and the board members for their support. Now we turn our focus to Ankara Demirspor—we want to start the league with a win.”
Fethiyespor will return to training at their home facilities in Fethiye on Monday as the countdown to the new season begins.
Fethiyespor will start the league with their first away match against Ankara Demirspor on Sunday 24th August. The kick-off is at 16:30.
Join the Fethiyespor Yabancilar group on Facebook for more news and updates
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Turkish Lira (TL) exchange rates
The British Pound bought 55.31 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 54.86 TL.
The US Dollar bought 40.85 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 40.79 TL.
The Euro bought 47.75 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 47.51 TL.
Source: exchangerates.org.uk
Weather Forecast
Here’s your weather forecast for the week ahead.
Source: Living Earth
