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International forest-fire experts attending the Istanbul Forest Innovation Week (IFIW) have praised Türkiye for its advanced wildfire detection and response capabilities, highlighting the country’s use of cutting-edge technologies in combating forest fires.
Tiago Oliveira, chairman of the Portuguese Agency for the Integrated Management of Rural Fires Board of Directors, told Anadolu Agency, “Türkiye, fire detection and intervention have reached a high-level capacity. Türkiye has brought together all the parts needed to reduce fire incidents and the economic damage from fires.”
Johann Georg Goldammer, director of the Global Fire Monitoring Center at the University of Freiburg, added, “Türkiye uses very advanced technologies in the protection of forests and in combating fires.”
Türkiye has recently gained international recognition for its wildfire management. Experts noted the extensive use of drones, rapid-response teams, and advanced monitoring systems, which have contributed to its improved global standing.
Oliveira emphasized the critical role of local populations in protecting forests. Türkiye’s forests often border settlements, and integrating local communities into prevention efforts is essential. “When people living around those forests get income from them, they will protect them better,” Oliveira said.
He added that climate change is extending fire seasons and creating more extreme conditions, making it crucial to monitor meteorological data and deploy firefighting resources during high-risk periods. During lower-risk periods, preventive actions — such as reducing fuel loads, controlled grazing, and planned forestry activities — are vital.
Goldammer stressed the importance of proper land use in mitigating fire risk and economic losses. Declining rural populations have led to increased combustible materials in forests, raising the likelihood of severe fires. “Historically, these lands were actively managed through harvesting, farming, and grazing. Today, many regions in the Mediterranean and Balkans see fires where they were rare before,” he said.
He highlighted Türkiye’s investments in protecting forests and deploying advanced firefighting technologies, noting that preventive measures remain crucial due to abundant combustible materials around forested areas. “When soils are managed efficiently, the flammability of lands can be reduced,” Goldammer said.
The remarks by Oliveira and Goldammer underline Türkiye’s emergence as a global reference in wildfire management, combining high-level intervention capabilities, preventive strategies, and community involvement.
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