Where is Türkiye in the fight against forest fires? | Prof. Dr. Murat Türkeş assessed

Rising temperatures have led to forest fires in many cities across Türkiye. Thousands of hectares of forest were reduced to ashes as a result. Prof. Dr. Murat Türkeş emphasized the importance of the first 15 minutes of a forest fire, warning that with the changing climate, even larger fires could occur in the future. Türkeş emphasized the need for Türkiye to develop policies appropriate to changing conditions.

News: Rüveyda Durgut

Rising temperatures with the arrival of summer have led to forest fires in many cities across Türkiye. These fires have reduced thousands of hectares of forested land to ashes. Professor Dr. Murat Türkeş, Board Member of the Boğaziçi University Climate Change and Policy Application and Research Center, emphasized that, like all countries in the Mediterranean climate zone, Türkiye experiences numerous forest fires during the summer months.

"Unfortunately, our heat, drought, and fire predictions for the summer came true. However, we were not successful in fighting the fires," Türkeş said, noting that the fires spread rapidly due to heat waves, low humidity, and strong winds.

Türkeş said that Türkiye, along with countries such as Italy, Greece, Spain, France and Portugal in the Mediterranean basin, is struggling with similar conditions.

Türkeş emphasized the critical importance of the first 15 minutes in fires, saying, "If intervention isn't provided and the weather is dry, hot, and windy, the fire will grow rapidly. In this case, the entire area that can burn will eventually burn."

Türkeş noted that fires have occurred in Mediterranean climate zones throughout history, but he said the biggest difference today is human impact. "Forests are now intertwined with agricultural areas, settlements, and industrial zones," Türkeş said. "As a result, fires occur more frequently and are more destructive."

Türkeş, who stated that forests used to be able to regenerate themselves after fires, also emphasized that this natural repair is no longer possible due to human settlements:

"In the past, after forests burned, nature would repair itself. Now, forests are being opened to settlement or converted into agricultural and industrial areas. That's why nature can't renew itself."

Türkeş stated that Türkiye will face hotter, drier, and windier conditions due to the effects of the climate crisis. He noted that a Mediterranean climate will dominate much of Türkiye by 2050 and beyond, adding, "Even the Black Sea region will be more vulnerable to forest fires in the future."

Türkeş spoke about future forest fires as follows:

"The frequency, duration, and intensity of forest fires will increase. We will see larger areas burned. This is now almost certain."

Türkeş stated that urgent measures must be taken against the risk of fire, and that transition areas should be created between human settlements, especially in forests.

Türkeş said, "Practices such as stubble and picnic fires should absolutely not be allowed throughout the summer. Fire safety lanes should be established between agricultural areas, roads, residential areas, and forests."

“Fire prevention strategies must now be planned more seriously than in the past,” said Türkeş, emphasizing the importance of establishing protection zones not only within forests but also around human settlements.

Additionally, Türkeş noted that the fire season lasts at least five months, and human activities should be restricted during this period.

Türkeş, noting that Türkiye surpasses many other countries in terms of volunteer participation in firefighting efforts, said, "The public, villagers, and volunteers take more initiative in firefighting, but this is not enough. We have organizational deficiencies in firefighting. Unfortunately, this is why the results are often negative."

Türkeş emphasized that the climate crisis is not limited to temperature increases, but that changes in general atmospheric circulation are transforming the entire climate system.

"Humidity and wind patterns are completely transforming. This means the climate itself is changing," Türkeş said.

"We must accept that the climate is changing and determine policies accordingly," said Türkeş, adding that not only should we combat climate change, but also social, economic and technical steps should be taken to adapt to this new climate.