Strict Warning Against Forest Fires: “No Compromise”

Muğla Forest Regional Directorate made a striking post to raise awareness against forest fires. The post highlighted the risk of human-caused fires, emphasizing that negligence such as throwing cigarette butts, burning stubble, and lighting fires in forested areas can lead to great disasters.

Posters prepared by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and the General Directorate of Forestry provided information about acts that could cause forest fires and the penalties to be applied for these acts. The posters stated that lighting fires outside permitted areas, leaving a fire without extinguishing it completely, leaving unextinguished cigarette butts or waste that could cause fires in forests, and burning stubble or plant cover within 4 kilometers of forests or inside village borders covered by the relevant law are subject to penal sanctions.

The heavy price of both negligence and intent

According to the information on the posters, negligence related to fire, acts such as leaving trash and cigarette butts, and burning stubble can be punished with imprisonment from 1 to 3 years and judicial fines. It was stated that if a fire occurs due to negligence, imprisonment from 3 to 10 years could be applied.

It was reminded that intentionally setting forest fires is punishable with imprisonment of no less than 10 years and judicial fines ranging from 1,000 to 10,000 days. In case of forest burning within the scope of organizational activities, life imprisonment and judicial fines ranging from 20,000 to 25,000 days may be applied. It was noted that additional penalties may be imposed if deaths or injuries occur as a result of the fires.

“May the Green Homeland Always Remain Green”

The Muğla Forest Regional Directorate's post included the following statements:

“We have zero tolerance for any actions that endanger our forests. Whether a momentary carelessness or an intent; harming our forests carries very heavy penalties in our laws. Please follow the rules, let’s protect our Green Homeland. The stubble burned for field cleaning not only kills the soil but also spreads to forests by the wind and brings disaster. Do not burn stubble, don’t upset the balance of nature. May the Green Homeland always remain green.”

Authorities emphasized that more caution is needed in forested areas during the hot summer months and called on citizens to avoid behaviors that could cause fires.

Reporter: Mukaddes Yelin