A meeting was held in Bursa with village heads and forest village heads as part of ongoing efforts to prevent forest fires. The meeting was attended by Bursa Governor Erol Ayyıldız, Director General of Forestry Bekir Karacabey, Bursa Metropolitan Municipality Deputy Mayor Şahin Biba, and Bursa Provincial Director of Disaster and Emergency Management (AFAD) Mehmet Buldan.
The meeting focused on the role of village heads in combating forest fires, emphasizing the critical importance of public awareness and the early reporting of fire risks.
Karacabey stated that 94% of forest fires in Bursa over the past decade were caused by human negligence and carelessness, noting that a significant number of these fires could have been prevented through simple precautions.
Director General of Forestry Bekir Karacabey said:
"We have 623 forest villages in Bursa. As representatives of the state in their villages, our village heads are among the most trusted individuals in their communities. They are one of our most important stakeholders in the fight against forest fires and play a vital role in raising public awareness. During the harvest season, it is crucial that they remind citizens to keep water tankers and firefighting equipment readily available during agricultural operations, warn against lighting fires to clear gardens and fields, and immediately report any risky situations in their villages to the 112 Emergency Call Center and the Forestry Organization."
The meeting also included a presentation on fire statistics in Bursa. According to the data, Bursa recorded 159 agricultural fires and 88 forest fires in 2025. So far in 2026, 37 harvest-related fires have occurred. In addition, 19 forest fires have been caused by stubble burning, fires lit for garden and orchard clearing, metal cutting, welding operations, and lightning strikes.
The General Directorate of Forestry also drew attention to the increased risk of forest fires during the summer due to rising temperatures. Citizens were once again urged to exercise greater caution and to report even the slightest sign of smoke or fire without delay by calling the 112 Emergency Call Center or notifying the nearest Forestry Directorate.