An out-of-control wildfire swept through parts of western Turkey on Sunday, forcing the temporary shutdown of Izmir's Adnan Menderes Airport, paralysing air travel and prompting mass evacuations across at least ten settlements in the region.

The fire, which ignited in the Gaziemir district on the outskirts of Izmir, rapidly spread due to unrelenting winds and searing summer temperatures. The inferno prompted Turkish authorities to suspend all take-offs and landings at the regional transport hub by 4:00 p.m. local time. A total of 36 flights were cancelled, and at least 12 incoming aircraftwere diverted to alternate airports across the country.

Photographs and footage from the scene showed thick columns of black smoke blanketing the airport skyline, with orange flames licking the horizon — an eerie backdrop to what should have been a busy summer travel weekend.

Izmir, a magnet for tourists — particularly from the UK, Ireland, and continental Europe — found itself battling not just nature, but also suspicion of foul play. Investigators have confirmed that the fires may be man-made. A suspect was arrested in the Buca district for allegedly igniting a blaze using gasoline. In total, 18 individuals have been detained in relation to arson investigations across multiple provinces.

As of Sunday evening, 77 wildfires were reported across the country, 53 of them in forested areas. Fire crews were stretched thin, attempting to contain the flames across urban fringes, farmland, and hillsides. In several districts, houses were gutted, and families fled with little more than what they could carry. Emergency shelters were being prepared overnight to accommodate the evacuees.

The ferocity of the firestorm, fuelled by high winds, has grounded much of Turkey’s aerial firefighting fleet. With fixed-wing aircraft unable to fly safely, response teams have been forced to rely on ground units, bulldozers, and water tankers — a slow, grueling process in unforgiving terrain.

By 9:50 p.m. local time, airport authorities confirmed that operations had cautiously resumed. The first departing flight — PC 1864 bound for Ercan — took off successfully, marking the start of a gradual return to normalcy. However, officials warned that continued weather instability may still lead to further disruptions.

This is not the first time Turkey has battled major summer wildfires — but the scale, timing, and disruption to major civilian infrastructure have amplified fears that the country may be entering a more dangerous and prolonged fire season.

The government has pledged a full inquiry and vowed to expand its aerial firefighting capabilities. But for now, residents and tourists alike remain at the mercy of a flame-spread catastrophe that shows little sign of abating.