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Türkiye is warning citizens to stay alert against forest fires as rising summer temperatures, low humidity and strong winds are expected to push up the risk across the country.
Authorities say climate change, longer dry periods and stronger winds are making forests more vulnerable, while the Agriculture and Forestry Ministry and its General Directorate of Forestry (OGM) continue to work around the clock to prevent fires and respond quickly when they break out.
OGM has strengthened both its air and ground response capacity for the fire season. This year, Türkiye is using 28 planes, 119 helicopters and 14 unmanned aerial vehicles, with a total water-dropping capacity of 462 tons.
The number of aircraft has risen from 146 to 161, while ground teams have also received more water tenders, first response vehicles and construction machines.
To help helicopters take on water faster and move back into action, the number of fire pools and ponds has reached 4,852, with 55 more planned.
Türkiye is also using the Forest Fires Meteorological Early Warning System, developed by the Turkish State Meteorological Service.
This year, artificial intelligence-supported fire risk maps have also been rolled out to assess temperature, wind, humidity, terrain, combustible material and drought conditions together.
The system can forecast high-risk areas up to seven days in advance, allowing preventive measures to be stepped up.
Authorities say the risk is expected to rise further in the coming days as temperatures climb above seasonal norms. Low humidity and strong winds can make fires harder to bring under control once they start.
According to last year’s data, 91% of forest fires were caused by human activity.
For this reason, the ministry, OGM and other authorities have increased public warnings through social media and other channels, urging citizens to avoid any behavior that could set off a fire.
The warnings focus especially on summer picnics and outdoor activity. Authorities tell citizens not to light fires outside designated recreation areas, not to burn stubble, which refers to leftover crop stems after harvest, and not to throw away cigarette butts, waste or other flammable material along roadsides or inside forest areas.
Citizens are also asked to call 112, Türkiye’s emergency number, whenever they see smoke or fire.
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Türkiye applies criminal penalties for actions that damage forests. Negligent fire-related behavior, including throwing away cigarette butts or waste and burning stubble, can lead to one to three years in prison and judicial fines.
Causing a forest fire through negligence carries a prison sentence of three to 10 years. Deliberately setting fire to a forest is punishable by at least 10 years in prison and a judicial fine of between 1,000 and 10,000 days.
If a forest is set on fire as part of an organized group activity, the punishment can rise to life imprisonment and a judicial fine of between 20,000 and 25,000 days.
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