Thick smoke blankets as wildfire burns near residential areas in Altınoluk, Balıkesir, Turkey

On July 29, 2026, in Altınoluk, Balıkesir, Turkey, @NecdetErence shared a video of a fast-moving forest fire burning near the town. In the video, a massive wall of dense white and gray smoke rises behind residential apartment buildings, blanketing the sky and dimming the afternoon sunlight. The towering smoke plume looms over nearby neighborhoods, highlighting how close the wildfire had spread to homes. According to reports, the wildfire broke out near the Kumgedik neighborhood in Gömeç district before spreading toward Altınoluk. Authorities evacuated approximately 210 homes as firefighters battled the blaze from the ground and air to prevent it from reaching more residential areas.