Newsletters
At the Akcal Fire Watchtower in Candir, one of Isparta's high fire-risk areas, staff maintain round-the-clock surveillance to detect forest fires early and direct response teams.
Staff working at the tower, from which Isparta, Antalya and Burdur can be seen simultaneously, detect possible smoke and report it to the relevant units. Following a report, the nearest initial response teams are dispatched to the area.
Osman Erdeger, chief of the Candir Forest Management Directorate, drew attention to the strategic location of the Akcal Fire Watchtower in the region.
Noting that the region has first-degree fire sensitivity, Erdeger said that fire surveillance is carried out at the tower seven days a week, 24 hours a day.
Pointing out that early detection plays an important role in bringing fires under control before they grow, Erdeger said: "The moment we spot smoke, we dispatch our nearest initial response vehicle, preventing a potential large fire. Fire watchtowers are our country's eyes and ears in nature. They enable many fires to be responded to as early as possible. The towers play a strategic role."
Erdeger noted that no large-scale forest fire has occurred in the region this year, emphasizing that public awareness is also important in preventing fires.
Stating that teams respond quickly to reports coming from the watchtowers, Erdeger said, "Our fire watchtowers' continuous surveillance and the information they provide us, combined with our immediate response, have allowed us to prevent large fires."
Suleyman Akinturk, a forest worker who has served at the Akcal Fire Watchtower for 19 years, explained that after shift changes, they patrol the forested areas in the region throughout the day.
Noting that the region is among the areas with high fire sensitivity, Akinturk said that after the first smoke is spotted, the nearest initial response vehicle and water tanker are directed to the area.
Akinturk, noting that other nearby teams are also dispatched depending on the size of the fire, said, "What matters is being able to protect the forest within our homeland, being able to save even a single tree. Both our fellow team members and we try to do everything we can in our response."
Selcuk Yalcintas, who has served at the Akcal Fire Watchtower for 14 years, also explained that the region is monitored around the clock.
Yalcintas said that he speaks with his family by phone during his shifts, and that his family understands his working conditions.
Stating that they carry out their duties meticulously to protect the forests, Yalcintas said, "We monitor for fires here 24/7. The moment we see any smoke, we mobilize the nearest teams. Depending on the size of the fire, we also call in reinforcement teams."
Staff working at the Akcal Fire Watchtower continue their work during fire season, monitoring the forested areas in the region without interruption to detect potential fires early and direct response teams.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
1 min read
1 min read
