Baktır: Forest fires are not a grim fate

Dean of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences Prof. Dr. İbrahim Baktır said the results of the fire in the Ağıllar-Mersinlik area were horrifying. He talked about the measures that need to be taken to prevent these wildfires.   

Baktır said natural disasters are the most important disasters that people have to cope with, adding forest fires are included in natural disasters. He also said in countries where the Mediterranean climate prevails, are vulnerable to forest fires.

Prof. Dr. Baktır also said some forest fires are rooted in natural causes just like lightening but mostly it’s human factor that leads to such disasters. 

Pointing out that burning dry grass on the roadside, burning the undergrowth for the purpose of gaining land, burning stubble, picnicking  in areas unaware of possible consequences, throwing cigarette butts, sabotage and glass pieces are human-induced causes of forest fires, and added said, "Forest fires are by no means a grim fate."

Dean Baktır stated that red pines which are widespread in the Mediterranean flora, are extremely suitable for triggering fires due to the dry leaves they shed and the rich resin they produce.  He also noted that when red pine cones catch fire, they are instrumental in  spreading the flames  rapidly.

Stating that there are two basic rules to prevent forest fires, Baktır said, “The first is education and the second is the planting of fire-resistant trees and bushes in critical areas such as roadsides. Closing the picnic areas in summer and placing cameras in vulnerable  spots are among the deterrent measures.”

Prof. Dr. Baktır noted that it is thought-provoking that the Tepebaşı, Yedidalga and the ongoing Ağıllar-Mersinlik fires, which broke out in the last one or two months in the TRNC, were caused by human error, and said, "The statements that there is no loss of life in the fires are heartbreaking. It should never be forgotten that the soil is also alive and houses millions of living things.”

Dr. Baktır pointed out that there are many things that need to be performed in fire prone areas.  “It is important to leave the area in its natural state and reforestation is important. In particular, scrubs have the ability to renew themselves easily within a few years. The biggest problem is the reforestation of places that are hard to reach and where layers of soil layer are very limited.”