A towering vortex of flames stunned residents in northwestern Türkiye this week as a rare fire tornado swept through Bilecik province. The phenomenon, captured in viral footage, occurred amid hundreds of wildfires burning across the country that have displaced tens of thousands of people.
Authorities report emergency teams are battling blazes in 32 provinces, with coastal regions near Antalya and Muğla experiencing the worst impacts. Over 15,000 personnel and 50 aircraft have been deployed in what officials call Türkiye's largest firefighting mobilization this decade.
While summer wildfires are common in Mediterranean climates, meteorologists note this year's combination of 40°C temperatures and strong winds has created unprecedented fire behavior. The Bilecik fire tornado – a rotating column of flames reaching 100 meters high – demonstrates the extreme conditions challenging responders.
Tourism operators along the Aegean coast have implemented emergency protocols as some fires approach resort areas. The agriculture ministry estimates over 15,000 hectares of forest and farmland have been destroyed, with economic impacts expected to ripple through Türkiye's crucial summer tourism season.
