Şemsi Bayraktar Announced the Toll of the Fire in Seydikemer

Turkey's Union of Agricultural Chambers (TZOB) General President Şemsi Bayraktar inspected the areas affected by the forest fire in Seydikemer district of Muğla. After the fire, Bayraktar toured the damaged agricultural lands and met with producers to receive information about damage assessment efforts. Listening to the problems and demands of the farmers in Bayır neighborhood, Bayraktar drew attention to the effects of the fire on agricultural production.

151 producers and 2,128 decares of agricultural land were affected in Seydikemer

Sharing data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Bayraktar said that 151 producers living in 7 neighborhoods were affected by the fire that broke out on July 29. Stating that a total of 2,128 decares of agricultural land were damaged in the fire, Bayraktar emphasized that the greatest loss was suffered in olive groves.

According to the damage assessment studies, in the fire;

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• 2,116 decares of olive groves,
• 8 decares of fig orchards,
• 4 decares of greenhouse area,
• 742 tons of rough feed,
• 15.5 tons of prepared feed,
• 36 animal pens,
• 12 barns,
• 15 storage barns,
• 1 coop were damaged.

Additionally, it was reported that 213 beehives, 9 large and small livestock, and 67 poultry animals were also damaged in the fire.

"98% of the fires are caused by humans"

Evaluating the recent forest fires across Turkey, Bayraktar pointed out that the vast majority are caused by human activity. He stated that rising temperatures, decreasing humidity, and strong winds cause fires to spread rapidly, urging citizens to be more careful. "98% of fires are caused by humans. The majority of these are due to negligence and carelessness. Glass bottles, plastics, and cigarette butts thrown into forests can lead to great disasters," he said.

45 houses completely burned in the fire

Bayraktar stated that the fire not only affected agricultural lands but also residential areas, announcing that 45 houses were completely burned in the region. He explained that extreme heat and shifting winds caused the flames to grow rapidly, and said that the absence of casualties was the greatest consolation. Highlighting the important role citizens and farmers played in firefighting efforts, Bayraktar emphasized that producers supported the fire extinguishing operations with their tractors and equipment.

"Farmers must remain in production"

Bayraktar emphasized that the fire caused serious losses especially in beekeeping and olive production, stating that affected producers should be supported. He said they would initiate efforts in Ankara for the rebuilding of burned houses and healing of producers’ wounds. Bayraktar mentioned that the agricultural sector has been severely affected in recent years by disasters like frost, drought, hail, floods, and forest fires. Emphasizing the need for positive discrimination towards the agricultural sector, he said, "Every family that leaves the agricultural sector means more inflation and food crisis for Turkey. We must ensure that our farmers remain in production." At the end of his visit, Bayraktar conveyed his get well wishes to those affected by the fire and expressed hope that similar disasters would not occur again.