Çanakkale city center engulfed in smoke: Statement from the Governor

A forest fire broke out around 13:30 in the village of Sarıcaeli in the central district of Çanakkale. Fanned by the wind, the flames spread rapidly over a wide area, first jumping to agricultural lands and then approaching residential areas and the Mehmet Akif Ersoy Çanakkale State Hospital. Numerous teams from the Çanakkale Regional Directorate of Forestry are responding to the fire, while helicopters and aircraft continue their aerial intervention.

3 VILLAGES EVACUATED

In a statement from the Çanakkale Governor's Office, it was stated, "Due to the fire that started in the rural area of Bayramiç Yiğitler village, 2 citizens at the Terrestrial-Digital Radio and Television Transmitter Tower, 52 citizens staying at the Sarıcaeli Private Care Center, as well as the villages of Saçaklı, Ahmetçeli, and Doğanca have been evacuated as a precaution. Efforts to combat the fire from the air and ground are ongoing."

STATE HOSPITAL EVACUATED

The Governor's Office statement included the following: "Intervention in the fire occurring in the rural area of Sarıcaeli village in the center of Çanakkale continues. A partial evacuation of the Mehmet Akif Ersoy State Hospital has been carried out to ensure our patients are not affected by the smoke."

ÇOMÜ TERZİOĞLU CAMPUS EVACUATED AS A PRECAUTION

Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University (ÇOMÜ) Rector Prof. Dr. Cüneyt Erenoğlu also stated that they had evacuated the Terzioğlu Campus as a precaution.

Stating that there is currently no situation threatening the buildings, Erenoğlu said, "We have no buildings or structures burning within our university boundaries. However, the fire is unfortunately very large. Our teams have taken all necessary precautions. We hope the wind does not shift direction. We are on duty with all our teams. I hope the fire will be brought under control in a short time."

ÇANAKKALE AIRPORT RUNWAY CLOSED TO ALL FLIGHTS

The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure announced, "Due to the fire that started across from the airport in Çanakkale province, the Çanakkale Airport runway has been temporarily closed to all flights until 20:00 on August 8, 2025, with the exception of state aircraft, ambulances, search and rescue, and firefighting aircraft."

STRAIT CLOSED TO TWO-WAY TRAFFIC

In a statement made by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, it was said, "The Dardanelles (Çanakkale Strait) ship traffic has been temporarily suspended in both directions due to the fires occurring in Çanakkale."

FIREFIGHTERS BARELY ESCAPED WITH THEIR LIVES

A firefighting team from the Çanakkale Municipality responding to the fire was caught in the middle of the flames due to a shift in the wind. As the flames approached the fire truck, the team, unable to maneuver in the narrow space, abandoned the vehicle and ran to safety.

OGM ANNOUNCES NUMBER OF VEHICLES AND PERSONNEL RESPONDING TO THE FIRE

In a statement made by the General Directorate of Forestry (OGM), it was stated, "We are responding from the air and ground to fires occurring in non-forest areas in Çanakkale Center and Bigadiç with 8 aircraft, 4 helicopters, 46 water tenders, 1 construction machine, and 272 personnel. Our struggle to bring the fires under control as soon as possible continues."

The intervention by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry teams continues for the fire that started on agricultural land and spread to the forest area in Çanakkale.

"OUR FOREST HEROES ARE ON DUTY"

A post regarding the matter was made on the Ministry's social media account.

The post stated, "Our struggle against the rising flames in Çanakkale continues. Our air fleet, ground vehicles, and forest heroes are on duty around the clock for the Green Homeland."

STREETS ARE BEING EVACUATED

The fire, which grew under the influence of the wind, approached residential areas. In Kepez, which is close to the fire zone, heavy smoke was felt in the streets. Citizens evacuated the streets to avoid being affected by the smoke.