Turkey has temporarily suspended maritime traffic through the Dardanelles Strait amid rapidly spreading wildfires in the country’s north-west, the transport ministry announced.
The decision to halt vessels from passing through the crucial international waterway was made as a precautionary measure, following the outbreak of fires near the city of Canakkale, where several residents have been evacuated due to the advancing flames.
In response to the emergency, Turkish firefighters have been deployed in large numbers in an effort to control the fires. Authorities have also mobilized specialized aircraft, including firefighting planes and helicopters, to battle the blazes from the sky.
The Dardanelles Strait, which connects the Aegean Sea to the Sea of Marmara, plays a critical role in international maritime trade. Alongside the Bosporus Strait, it forms a vital corridor for commercial vessels moving between Europe and Asia. In 2024 alone, nearly 46,000 ships passed through the Dardanelles, according to official figures.
Local officials say that strong winds, combined with hot and dry weather conditions, are intensifying the fires and making containment efforts more challenging. Speaking to Turkiye Today on Friday, the provincial governor of Canakkale confirmed that firefighting efforts from both air and ground were continuing.
As a further safety measure, Canakkale’s main airport has been shut down to commercial passenger flights, although it remains operational for firefighting and search-and-rescue aircraft involved in the emergency response.
The blazes around Canakkale are part of a broader wildfire crisis affecting Turkey this summer. Hundreds of fires have erupted across the country, prompting the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents as authorities scramble to contain the situation.
The escalating crisis has also resulted in tragedy. In July, at least 10 forestry and rescue workers lost their lives while fighting wildfires in Eskisehir province, located in central Turkey.
The closure of the Dardanelles is expected to disrupt maritime logistics temporarily, adding to concerns about the growing impact of climate-driven extreme weather events across the region. Turkish authorities continue to monitor the situation closely as containment efforts intensify.
