Examination of Forest Fires in Mediterranean Climate Zone of Türkiye and Precautions to be Taken

Starting from the Bosphorus, Türkiye’s Aegean and Mediterranean coastal part is traditionally a forest fire hazard area due to its climate structure and vegetation. The vast majority of forest fires that occur each year take place in these regions. The fires that have occurred in recent years are burning forest lands in almost every region of Türkiye, and some places, especially in the Western Black Sea Region, have become a new risky area. Lately, there has been a remarkable increase in fire activity and the amount of burned area in Türkiye, due to the effects of climate change, the impact of the population on forest lands, and human activities and incomplete practices related to forestry and fire extinguishing. Studies have predicted longer and more severe fire seasons and higher fire activity for Türkiye. It is necessary to develop an effective firefighting organization against these new conditions, to implement various measures to be taken in forests, to carry out applications such as mechanical maintenance and controlled burning, and to take extra precautions against human activities in and around the forests and settlements. Especially in the summer of 2021, the fires that took place in Marmaris, Bodrum, Köyceğiz, Manavgat, etc. were extinguished with difficulty and reached the borders of the settlements. The severity of the fire and the size of the case has revealed how serious it is. For this reason, it is very important to take precautions against forest fires as soon as possible.