A fire truck is seen near a wildfire in the Odemis district of Izmir, Türkiye. Izmir Governor Suleyman Elban said on Thursday that the wildfire erupted on Wednesday afternoon in the Cesme district, a popular coastal tourist destination. The blaze has been taken under control, but the inland district of Odemis remains uncontrolled, he added. According to Elban, the fires were caused by faults in electricity distribution lines and there are no signs of sabotage. (Mustafa Kaya/Handout via Xinhua)

ANKARA, July 3 (Xinhua) -- An 81-year-old man died from smoke inhalation in the province of Izmir, as Türkiye continues to battle fierce wildfires in its western and southern region, according to local media reports on Thursday.

The elderly was from a village near the town of Odemis, one of the hardest-hit areas of the fire.

Izmir Governor Suleyman Elban said on Thursday that the wildfire erupted on Wednesday afternoon in the Cesme district, a popular coastal tourist destination. The blaze has been taken under control, but the inland district of Odemis remains uncontrolled, he added.

According to Elban, the fires were caused by faults in electricity distribution lines and there are no signs of sabotage.

Footage aired on local broadcaster NTV showed flames crossing the road, thick black smoke billowing into the sky, and emergency crews racing to contain the blaze.

Agriculture and Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli said Thursday that firefighting teams were continuing intensive efforts in the region from both land and air.

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya reported widespread damage caused by wildfires across the country. In Izmir province, 110 homes, two businesses, and one barn were damaged. In Bilecik, 69 houses, three businesses, and 27 barns were affected, while five homes were severely damaged in Manisa.

Türkiye has been battling a wave of wildfires in recent days, particularly in coastal and forested regions, and some 50,000 people were temporarily evacuated earlier in the week. Experts warn that the rising number and severity of fires are linked to the ongoing climate crisis, which is causing hotter and drier weather conditions across the country. ■

People and emergency vehicles are pictured near a wildfire in the Odemis district of Izmir, Türkiye, on July 3, 2025. Izmir Governor Suleyman Elban said on Thursday that the wildfire erupted on Wednesday afternoon in the Cesme district, a popular coastal tourist destination. The blaze has been taken under control, but the inland district of Odemis remains uncontrolled, he added.

According to Elban, the fires were caused by faults in electricity distribution lines and there are no signs of sabotage. (Mustafa Kaya/Handout via Xinhua)

An ambulance is seen near a wildfire in the Odemis district of Izmir, Türkiye. Izmir Governor Suleyman Elban said on Thursday that the wildfire erupted on Wednesday afternoon in the Cesme district, a popular coastal tourist destination. The blaze has been taken under control, but the inland district of Odemis remains uncontrolled, he added.

According to Elban, the fires were caused by faults in electricity distribution lines and there are no signs of sabotage. (Mustafa Kaya/Handout via Xinhua)

This photo taken on July 2, 2025 shows a wildfire in the Odemis district of Izmir, Türkiye. Izmir Governor Suleyman Elban said on Thursday that the wildfire erupted on Wednesday afternoon in the Cesme district, a popular coastal tourist destination. The blaze has been taken under control, but the inland district of Odemis remains uncontrolled, he added.

According to Elban, the fires were caused by faults in electricity distribution lines and there are no signs of sabotage. (Mustafa Kaya/Handout via Xinhua)

This photo taken on July 3, 2025 shows a wildfire in the Odemis district of Izmir, Türkiye. Izmir Governor Suleyman Elban said on Thursday that the wildfire erupted on Wednesday afternoon in the Cesme district, a popular coastal tourist destination. The blaze has been taken under control, but the inland district of Odemis remains uncontrolled, he added.

According to Elban, the fires were caused by faults in electricity distribution lines and there are no signs of sabotage. (Mustafa Kaya/Handout via Xinhua)