Dr. Rüştü Uçan, Head of the Occupational Health and Safety Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, Üsküdar Üniversitesi, and Abdurrahman İnce, Lecturer in the Occupational Health and Safety Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, Üsküdar Üniversitesi, evaluated the forest fires experienced in many provinces across the country.
Fires Broke Out at 72 Points in One Day
“Forest fires are not only occurring in our country but all over the world. In some countries, the intensity is even higher,” said Dr. Rüştü Uçan. He stated that on August 17, 2024, forest fires broke out at 72 different locations in our country; 45 of them were brought under control in a short time, while 27 were battled for a long time. He noted that some of these were determined to have occurred negligently due to stubble burning, picnic fires, and careless smoking, and there was no information about intentional fires.
Strong Winds Affected the Fires
Dr. Rüştü Uçan said, “Strong winds are the primary factor contributing to the growth, uncontrollability, and inextinguishability of forest fires. The second important factor is low relative humidity in the air. The third important factor is high air temperature.”
Decreased Wind Benefited Fire Control
Stating that all these factors converged on the day of the incident (August 17), Dr. Rüştü Uçan said, “Air temperature was high. Strong winds were present. In most of the regions where forest fires broke out, extremely dry air was measured that day. While air with 50 percent relative humidity is considered dry, extremely dry air, dropping to 18 percent in Karşıyaka, 12 percent in Serik, and even occasionally to 6 percent in some regions, was experienced. Subsequently, the decrease in wind and increase in humidity helped bring these forest fires under control.”
Stating that the fires started very quickly and could only be extinguished before growing if intervened early, Dr. Rüştü Uçan said, “Looking at the causes and initial conditions of the forest fires that occurred on August 17, we can easily say that if a volunteer firefighting system had been in place, they could have been extinguished before they grew.”
Banning Open Fires is a Correct Decision
Noting that banning entry to forests, picnicking, smoking, or lighting any open fires even adjacent to forests on days when these three factors are present together is a very appropriate decision, Dr. Rüştü Uçan said, “Stubble burning should not be permitted under any circumstances. The penalty for causing a forest fire, even negligently, is very severe under forest law. Deterrent penalties should also be imposed for the other prohibitions mentioned above.”
80% of Forest Fires Are Human-Caused
Explaining that according to a 2008 French study, 80 percent of forest fires originate from settlements or within 100 meters of them, human-caused, Dr. Rüştü Uçan noted that 20,087 of the total 35,071 villages in our country are forest villages. He added that even though villages in metropolitan areas have been reduced to neighborhood status and excluded from the Village Law, there has been no change in terms of fire safety, as they remain geographically distant from district centers and have low populations.
Removing Combustible Materials in the Path of Wind Direction is Crucial
Dr. Rüştü Uçan also stated that removing combustible materials in the direction/path of the wind during a forest fire is very important in combating it, saying, “Mostly, with bulldozers and similar vehicles, trees and vegetation are removed to keep the fire on this line and prevent its advance. However, this method cannot be applied during fires in steep valleys with high slopes. Safety strips are already opened beforehand for this purpose. The backburning method is also applied during fires for this purpose, but it cannot be used in conditions with strong winds. Thus, the burning part burns out, but since there are no combustibles beyond that line, the fire cannot spread.”
Surroundings of Forest Villages Should Be Made of Non-Combustible, Weed-Free Materials Like Gravel
Dr. Rüştü Uçan also noted that implementing the method of creating safety strips during fires would be very beneficial in villages within forests, villages adjacent to forests, and settlements adjacent to forests, continuing as follows:
“For this purpose, forest villages should be completely surrounded by non-combustible and weed-free materials like gravel, forming a strip 20 to 100 meters wide (This distance should be scientifically determined by examining all factors causing spread in forest fires. These factors include the maximum throwing distance of burning pine cones, the flight distance of burning branches and leaves with the wind, the reach of hot air by convection, the influence distance of heat radiation, the transport of fire by forest animals fleeing from the fire, and all other factors). These safety strips should also be created in places like factories and farms located within the forest. This way, the spread of forest fires to residential areas can be prevented.”
Dry Grasses Should Be Cleared at the Beginning of Summer
Dr. Rüştü Uçan also pointed out that the forest organization's fire-resistant tree project (YARDOP) planted along forest boundaries is very valuable, stating, “At the beginning of summer, forest boundaries and roadsides within these boundaries, especially the dry ones, should be cleared of weeds. This clearing will also protect forests from burning.”
Evacuation Instructions Must Be Followed
Abdurrahman İnce, Lecturer in the Occupational Health and Safety Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, Üsküdar Üniversitesi, emphasized in his evaluation of the subject that the forest organization is very well-established and strong, stating, “During forest fires, the evacuation instructions announced by public officials for people and other living beings must be followed.”
Drills Should Be Conducted at the Beginning of Summer
Lecturer Abdurrahman İnce stated that fire prevention areas, varying in width between 7-20 meters, should be created to completely surround forest villages, adding that these areas should be completely covered with gravel, stone, or soil.
Lecturer Abdurrahman İnce stated that creating such areas in places like factories and farms located within the forest would prevent fires from rapidly spreading to populated areas. He also noted that clearing weeds around the forest would prevent the rapid spread of fire.
Highlighting the importance of the Regional Directorate of Forestry, municipal fire departments, AFAD, and village volunteers conducting at least a two-day drill in June, Lecturer Abdurrahman İnce stated that these drills would ensure that fire-fighting teams are prepared by familiarizing themselves with the region and each other.
Volunteer Firefighting System Proposal
Abdurrahman İnce stated that a volunteer firefighting system should be encouraged in the fight against forest fires. İnce expressed that if a volunteer firefighting system were implemented, fires could be brought under control before they grow. He also added that the number of firefighting planes and helicopters should be increased, and trained personnel should be developed in this field.
Lecturer Abdurrahman İnce emphasized the importance of using drones and technological warning systems in combating forest fires, stating that these technologies could prevent fires from growing by enabling rapid intervention as soon as they start.
Innovative Steps in Legislation and Education
İnce stated that legislation related to forest fires should be revised according to current needs, emphasizing that personnel working in fire-prone areas should be retained in their positions for long periods. İnce also noted that training on forest fires should be increased using simulation technology, and young personnel should be specialized in fire dynamics.
Lecturer Abdurrahman İnce added that innovations must be continuously monitored and implemented to achieve success in combating forest fires.
