Forest fire temporarily halts maritime traffic in Turkey

A forest fire in northwestern Turkey temporarily halted maritime traffic in one direction through the Dardanelles Strait, as reported by the Turkish Coast Guard.

The agency announced on the “X” platform that “marine navigation in the north-south direction has been temporarily suspended,” but later confirmed the full resumption of traffic.

Nine aircraft, six helicopters, and over 360 firefighting personnel were deployed to extinguish the fire, according to a statement on X by Minister of Agriculture Ibrahim Yumakli.

Turkish media noted that the fire spread rapidly due to strong winds, with smoke visible from the sea.

A village in Çanakkale Province was evacuated as the fire advanced, according to state authorities.

The Dardanelles Strait, a natural boundary between Europe and Asia, links the Aegean Sea to the Sea of Marmara.