Wildfire in Turkey traps 10 firefighters in fatal wind change, injures 14

Funeral for Turkey fire fighter deaths. Photo: Republic of Turkey Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.

By David Bruce

Ten firefighters were killed and 14 were injured as they battled to contain one of many wildfires across Turkey in high temperatures and winds.

Agriculture and Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli said the firefighters were trapped by a sudden wind change on the fireground on 23 July 2025.

The Minister, who attended the funeral of one of the workers, dozer operator Eyüp Dereli, in his hometown of Eskişehir said the five forest workers and five AKUT officers who were “martyred” while fighting a forest fire in the Seyitgazi district of Eskişehir had now been sent on their final journey.

“Today will perhaps be the hottest day in recorded history” – Agriculture and Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli

Minister Yumaklı said the number of fires that have broken out since the beginning of the year has exceeded 4,000, with 1,728 of these in forest areas.

“We’re talking about global climate change. Today will perhaps be the hottest day in recorded history. Therefore, when we look at the drought maps for the first six months and the subsequent drought maps published by the General Directorate of Meteorology, I want to emphasize once again that the fire risk is absolutely and undeniably very high for all of Türkiye during this period.”

Turkey fire fighter deaths. Photo: Republic of Turkey Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.

He said firefighters were 19 forestry workers and five members of the voluntary, non-government search and rescue organisation AKUT.

“24 of our friends involved in the fire, which started in Eskişehir-Seyitgazi and spread to the Afyonkarahisar border, were unfortunately trapped in the fire when a sudden change in winds fanned the flames toward them. Fourteen of these friends are currently receiving treatment in various hospitals without any major problems.

“Unfortunately, we lost 5 forestry workers and 5 AKUT members. I offer my condolences to all the brothers who lost their lives, their families, and loved ones. My condolences to our nation. I also pray to God for a speedy recovery to my injured brothers.”

He appealed to his fellow citizens to remain vigilant. “The very high temperatures, high winds, and low humidity have made this no longer a simple forest fire. We have lost 10 of our dear brothers and sisters. I have nothing more to say. My condolences to our nation.”

Injury burnover in Kentucky

UPDATE: Zach Garland, the state firefighter injured Thursday on a Kentucky wildfire, is now in stable condition at the burn center in Huntington, West Virginia. On April 25 the Pike County 2 Crew was working a wildfire when the fire shifted; Zach was trapped and burned and critically injured. He was building fireline when fire cut off his escape route. Crew members immediately called for EMS; Zach was flown to the burn center at Huntington, where he is in good spirits. Though he is medically stable, he faces a very long road to recovery; Zach suffered second- and third-degree burns to his face, arms, hands, and knees.

Zach Garland in the burn center at Huntington, West Virginia
Zach Garland in the burn center at Huntington, West Virginia

His friend and co-worker Trey Beam has started a GoFundMe page to help with medical expenses. “Zach was protecting our Kentucky land,” writes Trey, “as well as wild horses, homes, and civilians. Zach is a dad to two young children, the youngest of whom was born on the day after Zach was injured. We are requesting contributions of any size, to assist with out-of-pocket expenses for medical bills, travel, lodging, and Zach’s lost wages. Zach and his family face a very long road ahead.”
Zach Garland’s GoFundMe page is here:
gofundme.com/f/zach-garland-and-family-recovery
Update: Generous people like you have chipped in over $7600 toward
Zach’s unexpected expenses. If you have another $20 in your pocket, he
and his wife need it more than you do — and May the 4th be with you.

Zach Garland, Kentucky
Kentucky firefighters Teena Dunn and Zach Garland.

PUBLISHED 27. APRIL 2024 — On Thursday about a mile south of Stopover in Pike County, Kentucky, the Blankenship Hollow Fire early in the afternoon injured a firefighter in a burnover incident. A structure fire in Blankenship Hollow escaped into the woodland and was reported to the Hazard Branch forestry office; volunteer fire departments at the incident requested a forestry crew to assist. The Forest Ranger IC type 5 and a Pike County crew were dispatched just before 2 p.m. and arrived at 3 p.m.

Kentucky fires
Kentucky fires

Zach Garland running firing on burn out operations.
Zach Garland running firing on a burnout operation.

Initial size-up from the IC was 10 acres burning in timber with an uphill run and high spread potential.

The IC reported that several additional structures near the fire would be their initial focus.

About 45 minutes later with structure protection completed, the IC and the crew hiked up the mountain to engage the head of the fire directly. They said they had active behavior with short-range spotting and decided to wait for a break before engaging.

Blower line on the Blankenship Hollow Fire near the site of shelter deployment.
Blower line on the Blankenship Hollow Fire near the site of shelter deployment. The area is hardwood leaf litter — as was 90 percent of the burn area. The area around the deployment zone was 60-100 ft hardwood with 3-12 ft beech, maple, and mountain laurel understory.

At 5:15 the IC reported a break in fire behavior and they re-engaged with  direct handline construction. Firefighters began building line down both flanks and at 5:55 IC reported that a firefighter had become trapped by a spot fire, cutting him off. He said he was deploying a shelter; 3 minutes later the IC reached the crew member and began a medical assessment. Kentucky State Police out of Pikeville was contacted by dispatch; they sent EMS units and requested a life-flight medical helicopter be held on standby.

Zach and his Kentucky Division of Forestry crewmembers.
Kentucky Division of Forestry Pike 2 Crew — Zach Garland is third from left.

The IC and the fire crew were able to assist the injured firefighter, who walked mainly under his own power off the mountain to the waiting ambulance, where EMTs decided to request helicopter transport to the burn unit at Cabell Huntington Hospital in Huntington, West Virginia. There were no reports of other injuries.

The burned firefighter is in stable condition at the burn center this evening and is in good spirits. He endured burns on the hands, knees, and face; there will be a 72-hour followup report.

A statewide burn ban is in effect through the end of this month.

 

Two Missouri firefighters entrapped and injured in grass fire

Fort Osage Fire Protection District
Fort Osage Fire Protection District

Friday afternoon a fire that started in an outbuilding near Buckner, Missouri had spread to several acres when a brush truck operated by the Fort Osage Fire Protection District became surrounded by heavy smoke.

The crew left the truck and attempted to escape from the area, announcing “May Day” on the radio. Other crews immediately came to their aid but two of the personnel on the brush truck were injured, and the truck was destroyed.

One of the firefighters was released from the hospital Friday night and the other remains in serious condition.

The fire ultimately grew to 15 acres and destroyed several small outbuildings before being brought under control at 4:05 p.m. Friday. Multiple homes were endangered but were saved by firefighters.

Thanks and a tip of the hat go out to Matt.