Prof. Dr. SAĞLAM, Vice Rector of Artvin Çoruh University and a faculty member of the Faculty of Forestry, spoke to NTV regarding the increasing number of forest fires in recent days.

Highlighting the heightened risk of forest fires in certain regions of the country due to global climate change, Prof. Dr. SAĞLAM emphasized the necessity of adapting to living with the threat of fire in these areas. He made the following remarks on fire prevention and control:

"Effective forest fire management begins before the outbreak of a fire. The General Directorate of Forestry (OGM) has comprehensive planning and effective practices in place. Firefighting teams are on standby day and night, ready to respond to any potential fire.

The OGM uses social media and the press to inform the public about necessary precautions during critical times, raising awareness before the fire season begins. Despite these measures, unfortunately, 85% of forest fires are caused by human activities."

Prof. Dr. SAĞLAM further explained that during the summer months, dry grasses significantly increase the risk of fires. To mitigate this risk, he suggested creating fire-resistant buffer zones in forests, agricultural areas, and settlements. These zones would help prevent fires from spreading from forests to agricultural lands and settlements, and vice versa.