A lot can happen in a month, can’t it? This is our monthly Fethiye news for the last few weeks that have made up July…
Summer = Heat = Wildfires
Sadly, the last few days of July were dominated by wildfires within the Fethiye environs.
And what’s even more sad – and this is the case for other countries around Europe, too – is we are at the point where we’re almost expecting large scale wildfires to hit somewhere in the vicinity by this time of year.
Seydikemer & Yeşilüzümlü
Our first clue that all wasn’t well, somewhere, was on the 28th when two firefighting planes flew low over the top of our house and skimmed over the bay, taking on water.
And then the news started to filter through online that the fires were in Seydikemer just to the east of Fethiye.
By mid afternoon, the wind direction meant that resorts, Ölüdeniz, Hisarönü and over Fethiye centre were darkened with smoke and falling ash and another fire had started in Çiftlik.
The following day, fires started in the hills of Yeşilüzümlü. The Çiftlik fire caused some damage but was fortunately brought under control quickly compared to the others.
We now had two simultaneous major wildfires in the Fethiye area.
Heroic efforts from the firefighters and countless volunteers – both on land and in the air – bringing the fires under control and also having to remobilise when they reignited.
Food and drink supplied by homes and businesses, volunteers rallying together at Seydikemer marketplace to make sandwiches and food packs for those fighting the fires, farmers using their tractors to transport water tanks, TOMAs (police water cannon vehicles) – it’s been a huge community effort for a few days.
For the next few weeks, everyone will be on high alert. And all have been urged to extra careful.
As I type (2nd August) helicopters and a plane are cooling land in Yanıklar where a fire started earlier this morning.
Locals saw it and immediately called 112. Fire teams were on it straight away and have prevented what could have been another major wildfire.
Running Track – No Movement
Remember we told you that the whole of the track that runs along Fethiye harbour and through Şehit Fethi Bey Park is being replaced?
We were hoping to have a photo of a lovely, renewed, springy red running track for this month’s news.
Except nothing has happened. It still looks like this – well, with the loose bits swept up.
Mayor, Alim Karaca, has posted an update that the job went out to tender but the company who got the gig weren’t doing a satisfactory job. So they were taken off it.
It seems there are now legalities to go through before things can once more proceed. So, we wait…
Umbrella Street Spruce Up
But there has been movement on Umbrella Street in the town centre!
Just across the road from the old town of Paspatur, the poor umbrellas of Umbrella Street were looking a bit sad and disheveled.
A few weeks ago, the belediye removed them. Along with the awning above.
It took a while for them to be replaced. But here they are – brand new, bright and colourful. New awning protection. And what also looks like new lighting.
A job well done. Who doesn’t love a colourful umbrella scene to brighten the day!
An Aegean Adventure
July is Barry’s birthday so we usually go away somewhere for it.
Three years ago, we headed to the Çeşme Peninsula – taking in Alaçatı, too – and stopped for a driving break in coastal Sığacık for a couple of hours.
We liked the feel of the place. So, this time, we decided to stay in Sığacık as a base and drive around, exploring more of the Aegean coastal areas.
We love this area of the country! We can’t wait to get stuck into our articles and tell you more.
And Not Forgetting Gökçeovacık & İnlice
As is often the case on Barry’s birthday, a heatwave descends.
And, while we were enjoying the cooler air of the Aegean breezes, back home in Fethiye, we were also following news of a wildfire that had started in Gökçeovacık – the hills above Göcek.
Those flames quickly spread and reached all the way down to İnlice before it was brought under control.
As we drove home, a few days later, we passed the blackened, still smouldering hillside as we drove past İnlice village on the D400.
On The Blog
Amidst a short break and constantly following news updates of wildfires both here and elsewhere, we’ve also managed to slot in a few updates to the blog throughout July.
New Recipe
If you love Turkish egg recipes, we’ve added a brand new one to our collection of Turkish recipes.
Kıymalı yumurta makes a great, easy brunch if you have any leftover ragu that you need to use up.
And A Couple Of Updates
After our little break on the Greek island of Halki back in May, we had a quick scoot through our Greek islands blog content.
It had been a while since we went over our article about exploring Kos Town in a day – an easy day trip from Bodrum.
That’s now all up to date for 2026, including some new photos that we hadn’t put in the article previously.
Our tarhana soup recipe has also had a spruce up, too. It might feel a lifetime away at the moment – but soup season will be upon us before we know it and the big pan will be out with various Turkish soups simmering away in it.
Hello Again, Threads
Yes, in mid-July, we suddenly realised that Threads – previously banned in Turkey – was back up and running.
So we’re back up and running there, too.
Do you use it? If so, click here to follow us on Threads.
In Other News
The odd snippet that jumps out at us as the month progresses…
More Archaeological Discoveries
A few years ago, the Heritage For The Future project was set up.
It basically means a lot of investment into archaeology. And, these days, it’s common to visit archaeological sites where active digs are taking place lead by Turkish professors.
They really are a hive of activity. And, as visitors to these sites, we get the benefits.
Until mid-July, we’d never even heard of Tralleis near Aydın.
That was when we saw news that a 37-metre long swimming pool had been found at the site.
Once it is fully excavated, the pool will be refilled with water! Many of the country’s sites are being brought back to life.
And since that news came to light, the same team of archaeologists have now uncovered a large 2,000 year old intact mosaic in the same area. The mosaic depicts Poseidon’s sacred hippocampus.
Don’t dash off up there to explore just yet. The site is temporarily closed to the public whilst the excavations are ongoing.
Precious Photos
Have you ever been to the coastal town of Kaş on the south coast and got the Kaş Meis ferry over to the Greek island of Meis (Kastellorizo)?
We love going over there and have dipped into bits of the island’s history every now and then.
In July, the Instagram algorithm saw fit to put this great set of precious photos into my feed.
The accompanying write up is also interesting, too, explaining what happened to that population.
Into August…
We’re already into August, of course, and we’re all hoping for less eventful wildfire-free month.
Let’s see what the next few weeks bring…