Wildfires Reignite Trauma in Earthquake-Ravaged Hatay Province, Turkey

Wildfires have erupted once again in Turkey’s Hatay province, reopening emotional and physical scars left by last year’s devastating earthquake.

The blazes have broken out across several districts, including those still recovering from the seismic disaster that claimed tens of thousands of lives and leveled buildings. Residents who lost homes and loved ones during the quake are now confronted with new threats as flames encroach on fragile landscapes and temporary shelters.

Local officials report that the fires have destroyed several hectares of forest and brush, complicating ongoing reconstruction efforts. Emergency crews, already stretched thin, have been deployed to contain the flames, while residents live in renewed fear of further destruction.

Hatay’s regional governor emphasized that the blazes pose an additional challenge to a community still seeking stability.

“These fires reopen wounds that were barely healing,” he said, urging calm and resilience as response teams work to control the outbreaks.

Volunteers and NGOs have mobilized to support firefighting and evacuation operations, distributing water, protective gear, and clearing debris to create defensible zones around buildings and shelters. Civil defense officers are coordinating closely with local authorities to prioritize at-risk areas.

Wildfires in Hatay are compounding the region’s broader recovery crisis, where earthquake damage has disrupted infrastructure, displaced thousands, and made populations more vulnerable to natural hazards. Reconstruction programs have focused on building resilience, but officials warn that a repeat of last year’s earthquake remains a constant risk amid environmental stress.

Authorities continue to battle the fires while monitoring weather conditions that favor fire growth. They have advised residents to stay alert, follow evacuation alerts, and support firefighting teams as they work to prevent further spread.

With input from Al Jazeera