A helicopter puts out a fire in the Odemis district of Izmir, Türkiye, on July 4, 2025. Wildfires that have been raging since Wednesday across three districts in Türkiye's western Izmir province have claimed two lives as firefighters battle flames fueled by strong winds, low humidity, and scorching heat. (Mustafa Kaya/Handout via Xinhua)

ISTANBUL, July 4 (Xinhua) -- Wildfires that have been raging since Wednesday across three districts in Türkiye's western Izmir province have claimed two lives as firefighters battle flames fueled by strong winds, low humidity, and scorching heat.

In his latest statement, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Ibrahim Yumakli announced that the forest fire in Cesme, a popular resort town, was brought under control by Friday morning. However, efforts to contain the blazes in Odemis and Buca districts are still ongoing.

Two people lost their lives in Odemis: an 81-year-old bedridden man and a forestry worker who died while battling the blaze, according to the minister.

Odemis Mayor Mustafa Turan described the fire as one of the worst disasters in the district's history. "In this devastating wildfire, the residential areas and olive groves of our Uzumlu neighborhood have been reduced to ashes. Our sorrow is immense," he said.

Local news outlet Odemis Last Minute shared videos on social media platform X showing residents breaking down in tears, as their homes and livestock were destroyed by the fire.

Meanwhile, animal protection groups in Odemis have been working tirelessly to rescue animals affected by wildfires. The organization Haytap posted on platform X on Friday, saying, "The situation is truly dire. In the evacuated villages, we found many animals left tied up in the yards of burned homes. We're evacuating them to safe areas and providing medical treatment to those in need."

A video recorded at 6 a.m. local time (0300 GMT) shows flames burning intensely across a wide area, indicating the fire was still active.

Murat Ertekin, a resident of Cesme, described a grim picture to Xinhua: "When we arrived in Cesme from Izmir on Thursday, the highway was still open, but flames were raging on both sides. To the left, the fire consumed dry brush and shrubs, while to the right, a dense forest was burning fiercely."

The fire forced the authorities to evacuate thousands as it approached residential areas and led to the temporary closure of the highway and side roads connecting Cesme and Izmir.

Airlines have delayed or canceled numerous flights to Izmir Airport due to approaching flames and heavy smoke in the area since Friday morning.

Another resident, Yasemin Yavuz, told Xinhua that the fire had reached all the way down to Alacati, a popular destination known for its favorable winds and renowned surf schools. She described the situation as extremely severe as midnight.

Authorities have not yet confirmed the cause of the fires, but high temperatures, low humidity, and powerful winds have created ideal conditions for wildfires to spread rapidly. Investigations are underway to determine whether negligence or arson may have played a role.

"I've lived here for years, and I've never seen winds this extreme during this time of year with very low humidity," Yavuz added. The region is currently experiencing temperatures ranging between 35 and 37 degrees Celsius, with humidity levels around 15 percent. ■

A helicopter puts out a fire in the Odemis district of Izmir, Türkiye, on July 4, 2025. Wildfires that have been raging since Wednesday across three districts in Türkiye's western Izmir province have claimed two lives as firefighters battle flames fueled by strong winds, low humidity, and scorching heat. (Mustafa Kaya/Handout via Xinhua)

A helicopter puts out a fire in the Odemis district of Izmir, Türkiye, on July 4, 2025. Wildfires that have been raging since Wednesday across three districts in Türkiye's western Izmir province have claimed two lives as firefighters battle flames fueled by strong winds, low humidity, and scorching heat. (Mustafa Kaya/Handout via Xinhua)