Inspections Increased Against Forest Fires

Measures have been increased across the province against the rising fire risk due to increased temperatures, low humidity, and strong winds during the summer months. Security forces continue uninterrupted inspection and surveillance activities in forested areas to prevent human-caused fires.

Muğla Governor İdris Akbıyık stated that approximately 71% of the city’s surface area is covered with forests and expressed that protecting this natural wealth is among their primary responsibilities.

Akbıyık reported that the gendarmerie, police, and coast guard units operate in full coordination with the forest organization, carrying out ongoing inspections on foot and motorized patrols on land, unmanned aerial vehicles and drones by air, and coast guard boats by sea.

Akbıyık urged citizens to comply with the measures taken, calling on them not to light fires in forested areas and to report suspicious situations to the 112 Emergency Call Center.

Gendarmerie commando, Gendarmerie Special Operations (JÖH), and Police Special Operations (PÖH) teams conduct foot patrols in critical regions, with K-9 dogs supporting search and scanning operations.

Motorized teams and motorcycle police units are kept ready to respond quickly to possible reports, while TOMA vehicles have been stationed at critical points to be used for water supply and cooling efforts.

Entry bans to forests are strictly enforced throughout the province, especially in Bodrum, Marmaris, Fethiye, Datça, Milas, and Ula.

Forested areas are continuously monitored with unmanned aerial vehicles and drones, and if any smoke or fire indications are detected, land teams are directed to the area.

Coast Guard teams conduct patrols by sea to ensure safe sea traffic at water collection points for firefighting helicopters and amphibious aircraft. The teams also continue surveillance activities in forested coastal areas with boats.

Authorities emphasize that the most effective method in combating forest fires is preventing them from starting, urging citizens to comply with picnic bans and not to leave glass or other waste that could pose a fire risk in nature.