Causes and Solutions of Forest Fires Discussed in Bornova

The seminar titled “Forest Fires: Why Are We Burning? Why Can’t We Extinguish Them?”, jointly organized by the Bornova Municipality Disaster Affairs and Risk Management Directorate and the R&D Directorate, was held at Dramalılar Mansion with strong public participation.

Moderated by Sinancan Öziçer, Director of Disaster Affairs and Risk Management of Bornova Municipality, the event featured Yasemen Bilgili, Forest Engineer and Head of Strategy and Policy Development at the Aegean Forest Foundation, who presented scientific insights into the causes of forest fires in Türkiye and the challenges involved in combating them.

“A Forest Is More Than Just Trees”

In his opening remarks, Sinancan Öziçer stated that forest fires are no longer disasters affecting only specific regions but have become an issue of public safety and survival that concerns society as a whole.

“We are not gathered here today merely to discuss a technical issue. Forest fires are no longer distant disasters we watch on television; they have become a serious reality affecting our lives, our future, the air we breathe, and our safety. Because a forest is more than just trees—it means oxygen, water, climate balance, biodiversity, and the future itself.”

Öziçer emphasized that the major forest fires experienced in different parts of Türkiye in recent years have left deep marks on public memory. He noted that fighting forest fires is not solely the responsibility of institutions and highlighted the critical importance of public awareness in disaster management.

Why Do Forest Fires Start and Spread?

During her presentation, Yasemen Bilgili shared statistics on forest fires in Türkiye and provided detailed information about the factors that cause fires and contribute to their rapid spread.

Bilgili explained that climate change, rising temperatures, low humidity levels, strong winds, and human negligence significantly increase the risk of forest fires. She also discussed why some fires become uncontrollable within a very short time and examined the difficulties faced in firefighting efforts despite the availability of extensive resources and equipment.

Participants gained valuable insights into how forest fires can be prevented through proactive measures before they occur, rather than only responding once they have already started.

Building Awareness Before Disasters Occur

The seminar emphasized that preventive action is the most effective approach to disaster management. Speakers highlighted how a single cigarette butt, an uncontrolled fire, or a moment of negligence can lead to the destruction of thousands of hectares of forest, underscoring the importance of individual responsibility.

The seminar organized by Bornova Municipality stood out as an important part of ongoing efforts to raise public awareness about environmental protection and disaster preparedness.