The painful toll of forest fires revealed! More than half started outside the forest

The General Directorate of Forestry is calling on citizens to be cautious with striking statements regarding the fires that have increased during the summer months. General Director Bekir Karacabey announced that 5,231 fires broke out across the country between January 1 and August 17, and that 57 percent of these fires started outside the forest.

Karacabey stated that most of the fires starting in agricultural lands, scrublands, roadsides, vacant lots, and rural settlements spread to forests in a short time due to the effect of wind and high temperatures, and expressed that a total of 64,500 hectares of land have been damaged so far.

Stating that stubble burning, fires used during field clearing, or carelessly discarded glass bottles in non-forest areas have become a serious threat, Karacabey emphasized that a small spark could destroy both cultivated areas and forests.

Drawing attention to the recent increase in vehicle fires and cigarette butts thrown onto roadsides, Karacabey said, "Hot weather and dry grass can turn even a tiny spark into a major disaster. A significant portion of the fires that break out, especially along highways and secondary roads, are caused by cigarette butts thrown by drivers from their windows. In recent weeks, fires originating from engine components in vehicles can also spread rapidly due to the wind and jump into forested areas. There are penalties for both throwing cigarette butts and neglecting vehicle maintenance. We expect the highest level of sensitivity from our citizens on this matter."

News Source: İHA