What do forest firefighters think about organization and infrastructure problems in combating large forest fires?

Authors : İsmail Şafak, Devrim Karademir

Pages : 148-156

Doi:10.18182/tjf.1662491

View : 42 | Download : 50

Publication Date : 2025-06-30

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :The occurrence of large forest fires (LFFs) arises from the interaction of various factors, notably including climate change, meteorological conditions, fuel accumulation, and deficiencies in organization and infrastructure. In Türkiye, many LFFs occurred in Antalya and Muğla Regional Directorates of Forestry in 2021. This study aims to evaluate whether problems arising from organization and infrastructure had an impact on the growth of LFFs. A total of 621 forest fire workers, drivers, and operators (FWDs), actively involved in combating the LFFs, responded to survey questions using a nine-point Likert-type scale. Statistical differences in responses were analysed using the Mann-Whitney U test. The study\\\'s results indicate that problems stemming from personnel employment, the amount of construction equipment, the quantity of aircraft, fire suppression infrastructure, communication and coordination, and occupational health and safety have a moderate impact on the growth of forest fires. Since long-term and uninterrupted work causes inefficiency in LFFs, 52% of FWDs consider a working duration of 1-3 days adequate for LFFs. A statistical difference between the evaluations of two groups for 13 different factors presented in the study was found only in terms of the lack of personnel in the fire trucks and ground teams. In the fight against forest fires, the strength of land crews and the infrastructure support—such as water resources and forest roads—are just as important and effective as the use of technological tools like aircraft, fire trucks, and construction machinery.
Keywords : İklim değişikliği, Yangın söndürme, Orman yangını organizasyonu, Mega yangın, Algı

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