Çanakkale once again surrendered to flames: Citizens evacuated by sea

Efforts are underway to combat the forest fire in Kepez, Çanakkale. The Governor of Çanakkale issued a warning for citizens to avoid traffic unless necessary. The Çamlıbel residential complex, the ÇOMÜ campus, the Gendarmerie camp, and Güzelyalı have been evacuated. Flights have been halted, and the highway has been closed to traffic.

Efforts to combat the fire, which started in agricultural land and spread to the forest in Çanakkale, continue by air and land. Çanakkale Governor Ömer Toraman stated in a post on his social media account, “The forest fire in the center of Çanakkale is spreading rapidly due to the wind. The fire is being fought by air and land. As a precaution, the evacuation of our citizens in the Güzelyalı region has begun. It is important that our citizens do not take to the roads unless necessary,” he said. 

Efforts to combat the fire, which started in agricultural land and spread to the forest in the Kepez town of the central district of Çanakkale, continue by air and land. Some villas in the village of Güzelyalı have been consumed by the flames. Çanakkale Governor Ömer Toraman stated in a post on his social media account, “The Çınarlı fire in Çanakkale is being fought by air with 5 aircraft and 5 helicopters, and by land with 32 water tenders, 14 fire trucks, 5 bulldozers, and 455 personnel,” he said.

DARDANELLES CLOSED TO TWO-WAY TRAFFIC

On the other hand, traffic in the Dardanelles has been suspended in both directions due to the fire. In a statement made by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, it was stated, “Due to the ongoing forest fires in the province of Çanakkale, the Çanakkale Airport runway has been temporarily closed to all flights until 19.30 on August 11, 2025, with the exception of state aircraft, air ambulances, search and rescue, and firefighting aircraft.”

HIGHWAY TEMPORARILY CLOSED TO TRAFFIC

In a statement made by the General Directorate of Highways, it was noted, “The Çanakkale-Ezine State Road has been temporarily closed to traffic due to the fire occurring between the 10th and 31st kilometers.”

EVACUATION BY FERRIES

Efforts to combat the forest fire that broke out in the Kepez town of the central district of Çanakkale continue. Citizens at the Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University Dardanos Campus are being evacuated by ferries belonging to the GESTAŞ company, which carries passengers and vehicles on the Dardanelles and Islands line.

FLIGHTS HALTED AT AIRPORT

The Çanakkale Airport runway has been closed to civilian flights until 19.30. The runway will only be used for emergency and official flights. The section of the Çanakkale-Ezine State Road between the 10th and 31st kilometers has also been temporarily closed to traffic. 

In the statement made by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, it was reported that due to the ongoing forest fires in Çanakkale, the Çanakkale Airport runway has been temporarily closed to all flights until 19.30, with the exception of state aircraft, air ambulances, search and rescue, and firefighting aircraft.

The General Directorate of Highways also announced that the section of the Çanakkale-Ezine State Road between the 10th and 31st kilometers has been temporarily closed to traffic due to the fires.

News Source: İHA