The Dardanelles Strait has been temporarily closed to maritime traffic in response to raging wildfires in northwestern Turkey, prompting safety measures as evacuations take place and firefighting efforts are mobilized.
Wildfires Prompt Closure of Dardanelles Strait in Turkey
Wildfires Prompt Closure of Dardanelles Strait in Turkey
Key waterway shut down as wildfires threaten nearby regions, impacting international shipping.
The Dardanelles Strait, a vital passage linking the Aegean Sea to the Sea of Marmara, has been temporarily closed to maritime traffic due to severe wildfires threatening the region around Canakkale, Turkey. The nation's transport ministry announced the closure as a precautionary step amid the blazes that continue to spread, forcing evacuations in the area.
Firefighters, equipped with specialized aircraft and helicopters, are actively battling the flames, which have been exacerbated by strong winds and unusually dry, hot weather, according to local officials. The fire control operation involves both aerial and ground resources, with Canakkale's provincial governor commenting on the ongoing efforts in a report by Turkiye Today.
The Dardanelles is crucial for international commercial shipping, with nearly 46,000 vessels navigating its waters in 2024 alone. The closure may disrupt trade routes between Europe and Asia, given the strategic importance of this waterway alongside the Bosporus Strait.
Compounding the situation, Canakkale’s main airport has temporarily halted passenger flights, though it remains operational for firefighting and search and rescue missions. This summer has seen an alarming rise in wildfires across Turkey, leading to evacuations and tragic losses, including the deaths of several forestry and rescue workers during previous fire battles in the central Eskisehir region.
As wildfires intensify in both Greece and Turkey amid ongoing extreme heat, efforts to manage the crisis continue to unfold.
