Forest fire problems in Turkey: Evaluations of some current issues

Abstract

In this study, the number and spatial changes in forest fires in Turkey over recent years were examined and the causes of the fires analyzed. Evaluations were made concerning issues on which there were discussions about forest fires from time to time, and suggestions for reduction and prevention of forest fires were made. Fire records of the General Directorate of Forestry were evaluated, and interviews conducted with 22 experts with experience in fighting forest fires. Evaluation of the fire data showed that the number of forest fires in Turkey has increased in general, with decreasing trends noted in terms of area. There are significant increases in fire areas in some years due to a few big fires taking place. The most important point that draws attention in terms of the causes of the fires is that those of unknown cause have increased in recent years, with more than half of all fires are now recorded as "unknown". Current problems in Turkey regarding forest fires include increasing numbers of fires, fire sensitive areas due to heating and drought have increased, lack of understanding of the causes of fire, and the low number of experienced fire workers.

Keywords

• prevention of forest fires
• combating forest fires
• social perceptions
• climate change
• turkey
• orman yangınlarının önlenmesi
• orman yangınları ile mücadele
• toplumsal algılar
• i̇klim değişikliği
• türkiye