Forest Fires in Türkiye in 2025: Current Situation, Causes, and Strategies for Combating Them
2025 marks a critical turning point for Türkiye in the fight against forest fires. While AI-based technologies like FireAId offer significant advantages, the battle cannot be won without public participation, strong policy frameworks, and sustainable forest management!
Forest Fires in Türkiye in 2025: Current Situation, Causes, and Strategies for Combating Them
As of 2025, forest fires in Türkiye have become a major threat due to the combined effects of climate change and human activity. Rising temperatures, prolonged droughts, and careless behavior particularly during the summer season have significantly increased the risk of fires. As a result, the number and intensity of forest fires have both sharply increased.
The Current Situation
According to data from the Republican People’s Party (CHP), between June 1 and June 21, 2025, Türkiye experienced 399 forest fires, compared to 84 fires in the same period last year. The forest area affected by fires increased from 41 hectares to 2,548 hectares — a dramatic rise in both frequency and scale of destruction .
Causes
The main driver behind this escalation is climate change. The Eastern Mediterranean region is warming 20% faster than the global average, leading to longer fire seasons and drier environmental conditions. Meteorological factors like high temperatures, low humidity, and strong winds are the primary triggers of forest fires. Experts warn that 64% of Türkiye’s forests are located in high-risk fire zones.
How do we combat it?
On the technological front, Koç Holding has developed an artificial intelligence-based early warning system called FireAId. This system analyzes over 400 variables to predict the risk of forest fires with 86% accuracy. It uses meteorological data (temperature, wind, humidity), demographic and settlement data, and informs institutions in advance, allowing for proactive intervention and faster response times.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has emphasized pre-season precautions and urged the public to avoid lighting fires in forest areas. Minister İbrahim Yumaklı stated that forest protection is a shared responsibility, not just a government duty. Especially in the summer tourism season, the majority of fires are human-induced, often due to negligence. Therefore, raising public awareness is vital.
The Turkish Foresters’ Association reports that between 2015 and 2024, there were 27,330 forest fires in Türkiye, destroying 257,607 hectares of forest. The provinces most affected were Muğla, İzmir, and Antalya, all rich in forest resources. These fires not only harm biodiversity but also have significant economic and environmental consequences.
Recap
2025 marks a critical turning point for Türkiye in the fight against forest fires. While AI-based technologies like FireAId offer significant advantages, the battle cannot be won without public participation, strong policy frameworks, and sustainable forest management. Protecting forests means protecting the future of nature and humanity.
References
Turkish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry