Govind Tekale
Raging wildfires forced Izmir’s Adnan Menderes Airport to close on Sunday, June 29, leaving thousands of travelers stranded as flights were canceled and diverted. The airport shut down at 4:00 PM local time when fires in the nearby Gaziemir district, driven by strong winds, threatened airport operations.
“Due to the forest fire in İzmir’s Gaziemir district and adverse weather conditions, including strong winds, İzmir Adnan Menderes Airport was temporarily closed to air traffic,” an airport spokesperson said.
Travelers faced major disruptions as flights to London, Dublin, Newcastle, Copenhagen, Cologne, Sofia, Istanbul, Ankara, and Trabzon were either canceled or sent to other airports. Some passengers endured extreme delays, with a Sun Express flight to London Stansted postponed by 21 hours.
The airport slowly resumed operations Sunday night, with the first flight taking off at 9:50 PM. However, many travelers remained stuck as numerous flights stayed canceled or delayed into Monday.
Mayor Cemil Tugay of Izmir described the crisis: “Today is a very tough day for us; we are simultaneously battling numerous fires breaking out all across our beautiful İzmir. Unfortunately, the vast majority of the fires that reduce our forests to ashes are caused by human hands.”
Turkish authorities have taken action against suspected arsonists. Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç announced that police arrested 17 people in connection with forest fires across various provinces between June 26 and 28. One person was specifically arrested for using gasoline to start a fire in Izmir’s Buca area. Officials reported an alarming 77 fires across Turkey on Sunday alone.
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The fires have spread beyond forests. A separate blaze started at a landfill in Gaziemir, about 8 miles from central Izmir, and reached nearby woods. The fire threatened the Otokent industrial zone and its car dealerships, with local TV showing at least one dealership in flames.
Hundreds of firefighters, helicopters, fire engines, bulldozers, and water trucks have been deployed to battle the blazes. Four firefighters suffered smoke poisoning, with two needing hospital treatment.
Governor Süleyman Elban warned residents about continuing danger: “We expect the next four or five days to be very hot, with strong winds and low humidity. These conditions are perfect for a fire. Everyone’s life is at stake. We must all be extremely cautious.”
The Izmir fires are part of a larger heat emergency across southern Europe. Temperatures have climbed above 104°F (40°C) in many areas, with southern Spain hitting 115°F (46°C). Portugal, Italy, and France have all urged people to stay indoors during the hottest hours.
Greece is also fighting wildfires, with some areas declaring emergencies after fires damaged towns near Athens. On the island of Chios, over 10,000 acres of land have burned.
Anyone planning to fly to or from Izmir should check with their airline about cancellations and rebooking options. Many airlines are offering alternative travel arrangements for affected passengers. As firefighters work to control the flames, officials stress the need for public caution during what is becoming a dangerous fire season across the Mediterranean region.
