Strong winds caused forest fires to grow!

Stating that strong wind is one of the factors affecting the growth, inability to control and extinguish forest fires, Dr. Rüştü Uçan said that "The second important factor is the low relative humidity in the air. The third important factor is the high air temperature."

Asst. Prof. Rüştü Uçan stated that "When we look at the causes and initial conditions of the forest fires that occurred on August 17, we can easily say that if there was a volunteer firefighting system, it could have been extinguished before it grew."

Department of OHS Specialist Instructor Abdurrahman İnce stated that "The use of drones and technological warning systems is very important in fighting forest fires.".

Üsküdar University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Head of Occupational Health and Safety Department, Asst. Prof. Rüştü Uçan and Üsküdar University Faculty of Health Sciences Department of Occupational Health and Safety Instructor Abdurrahman İnce evaluated the forest fires in many provinces across the country.

Fires broke out in 72 places in one day

Expressing that "Forest fires are experienced not only in our country but all over the world. In some countries, the density is even higher.," Asst. Prof. Rüştü Uçan stated that on August 17, 2024, forest fires occurred at 72 different points in our country, 45 of which were brought under control in a short time, 27 of which were fought for a long time, and that some of them were determined to have occurred due to stubble burning, picnic fires, careless smoking and negligence, and that there was no intentional fire information.

Strong winds affected the fires

Asst. Prof. Rüştü Uçan expressed that "Strong wind is one of the factors affecting the growth, control and extinguishing of forest fires. The second important factor is the low relative humidity in the air. The third important factor is the high air temperature.”

The decrease in wind has helped to control the fires

Stating that all these factors came together on the day of the incident (August 17), Asst. Prof. Prof. Rüştü Uçan said that "The air temperature is high. There is a strong wind. In most of these wildfire areas, extremely dry weather was measured that day. While even air with a relative humidity of 50 percent is considered dry weather, extremely dry weather was experienced as 18 percent in Karşıyaka, 12 percent in Serik, and even as low as 6 percent in some regions. Afterwards, the decrease in wind and the increase in humidity have been beneficial in controlling these forest fires."

Stating that the onset of fires is very fast and can only be extinguished before they grow when intervened at the beginning, Asst. Prof. Rüştü Uçan said that "When we look at the causes of the forest fires that occurred on August 17 and the initial conditions, we can easily say that if there was a volunteer firefighting system, it could have been extinguished before it grew."

Banning open fires is a wise decision

Dr. Rüştü Uçan noted that it is a very correct decision to prohibit entry to forests on days when these three factors are together, and to prohibit picnicking, smoking or lighting any open fire even adjacent to the forest. Asst. Prof. Rüştü Uçan stated that "Stubble burning should not be allowed under any circumstances. In the forest law, the penalty for causing a forest fire, even negligently, is very severe. Deterrent penalties should also be imposed for the other prohibitions above.”

80 percent of forest fires are caused by humans

Explaining that according to a study conducted in France, in 2008, it was concluded that 80 percent of forest fires occurred from settlements or at most 100 meters away, caused by humans. Prof. Rüştü Uçan noted that 20 thousand 87 of the 35 thousand 71 villages in our country are forest villages, and although the villages in the metropolitan cities have been reduced to the status of neighborhoods and excluded from the scope of the Village Law, nothing has changed in terms of fire safety since they are settlements that are far from the district centers and have a low population.

It is very important to remove combustibles on the direction of the wind direction

Stating that it is very important to remove the flammables on the direction / path of the fire in the wind direction in the fight against forest fires, Asst. Prof. Rüştü Uçan said that "Mostly with bulldozers and similar vehicles, trees and vegetation are removed to ensure that the fire remains on this line and its progression is prevented; however, it cannot be applied during the fire in steep valleys with high slopes. Safety lanes are also opened in advance for this purpose. The counterfire method during a fire is also applied for this purpose, but it cannot be used in conditions with strong winds. Thus, the burning part burns and ends; however, no spread can occur since there is no flammability from that line."

The environment of forest villages should be created with non-flammable materials such as gravel and grass

Noting that it will be very beneficial to apply the method of creating a safety lane during a fire in villages in the forest, in the villages adjacent to the forest and in the settlements adjacent to the forest, Asst. Prof. Rüştü Uçan continued his remarks as follows:

"For this purpose, the width of the forest villages completely surrounds is 20 to 100 meters This distance should be scientifically determined by examining all the factors that cause the spread of forest fires. These factors should be created with non-flammable and grass-free material such as gravel, gravel, which is the maximum ejection distance of the burning cones, the flight distance of the leaves of the burning branches with the wind, the distance of the hot air by convection, the distance of the effect of radiation and heat rays, the carrying of the fire by the forest animals that are burning, and all other factors. These safety strips should also be made in places such as factories and farms in the forest. Thus, the spread of forest fires to settlements will be prevented."

At the beginning of the summer season, dry grass should be cleaned

Pointing out that the fire-resistant tree project (YARDOP) planted on the forest borders of the forestry organization is also very valuable, Asst. Prof. Rüştü Uçan said that "At the beginning of the summer season, the forest borders and the roadsides within these borders should be cleared of grass, especially dry ones. This cleaning will protect the forests from burning."

Evacuation instructions must be followed

Üsküdar University Faculty of Health Sciences Department of Occupational Health and Safety Instructor Abdurrahman İnce, on the other hand, emphasized that the forestry organization is very deep-rooted and very strong, and İnce expressed that "In forest fires, instructions for the evacuation of people and other living things, which public officials announced, must be followed."

Exercises should be carried out at the beginning of the summer season

Stating that fire prevention areas with a width of 7-20 meters must be created that will completely surround the forest villages, Instructor Abdurrahman İnce stated that these areas must be completely covered with gravel, stone or soil.

Instructor Abdurrahman İnce stated that the construction of such areas in places such as factories and farms in the forest will prevent the fires from spreading rapidly to residential areas and noted that clearing the grass around the forest will prevent the rapid spread of fire. Drawing attention to the importance of the Regional Directorate of Forestry, the municipal fire brigade, AFAD and volunteers in the village conducting an exercise for at least two days in June, Instructor Abdurrahman İnce stated that these exercises will ensure that the teams that will fight the fire are prepared by getting to know the region and each other.

Proposal for a volunteer firefighting system

Abdurrahman İnce stated that the volunteer firefighting system should be encouraged in the fight against forest fires. İnce stated that if the volunteer firefighting system is activated, fires can be brought under control before they grow and said that the number of firefighting planes and helicopters must be increased and trained personnel should be trained in this field.

Referring to the importance of the use of drones and technological warning systems in the fight against forest fires, Instructor Abdurrahman İnce stated that these technologies can prevent the growth of fires by providing rapid intervention as soon as the fire starts.

Innovative steps in legislation and education

Stating that the legislation on forest fires should be rearranged according to today's needs, İnce emphasized that it must be ensured that the personnel working in fire-prone areas remain on duty for a long time. İnce also stated that training on forest fires must be increased by using simulation technology and young personnel should be specialized in fire directions.

Instructor Abdurrahman İnce added that innovations must be constantly followed and implemented to achieve success in fighting forest fires.

 

Üsküdar News Agency (ÜNA)