Research Article

What do forest firefighters think about organization and infrastructure problems in combating large forest fires?

Volume: 26 Number: 2 June 30, 2025
TR EN

What do forest firefighters think about organization and infrastructure problems in combating large forest fires?

Abstract

The occurrence of large forest fires (LFFs) arises from the interaction of various factors, notably including climate change, meteorological conditions, fuel accumulation, and deficiencies in organization and infrastructure. In Türkiye, many LFFs occurred in Antalya and Muğla Regional Directorates of Forestry in 2021. This study aims to evaluate whether problems arising from organization and infrastructure had an impact on the growth of LFFs. A total of 621 forest fire workers, drivers, and operators (FWDs), actively involved in combating the LFFs, responded to survey questions using a nine-point Likert-type scale. Statistical differences in responses were analysed using the Mann-Whitney U test. The study's results indicate that problems stemming from personnel employment, the amount of construction equipment, the quantity of aircraft, fire suppression infrastructure, communication and coordination, and occupational health and safety have a moderate impact on the growth of forest fires. Since long-term and uninterrupted work causes inefficiency in LFFs, 52% of FWDs consider a working duration of 1-3 days adequate for LFFs. A statistical difference between the evaluations of two groups for 13 different factors presented in the study was found only in terms of the lack of personnel in the fire trucks and ground teams. In the fight against forest fires, the strength of land crews and the infrastructure support—such as water resources and forest roads—are just as important and effective as the use of technological tools like aircraft, fire trucks, and construction machinery.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

Yazarlar çalışmanın tüm süreçlerinin araştırma ve yayın etiğine uygun olduğunu, etik kurallara ve bilimsel atıf gösterme ilkelerine uyulduğunu beyan etmektedir.

References

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  6. Bassi, S., Kettunen, M., 2008. Forest Fires: causes and contributing factors in Europe. European Parliament Policy Department Economic and Scientific Policy, IP/A/ENVI/ST/2007-15, London.
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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Forestry Fire Management

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

June 30, 2025

Submission Date

March 21, 2025

Acceptance Date

June 5, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 26 Number: 2

APA
Şafak, İ., & Karademir, D. (2025). What do forest firefighters think about organization and infrastructure problems in combating large forest fires? Turkish Journal of Forestry, 26(2), 148-156. https://doi.org/10.18182/tjf.1662491
AMA
1.Şafak İ, Karademir D. What do forest firefighters think about organization and infrastructure problems in combating large forest fires? Turkish Journal of Forestry. 2025;26(2):148-156. doi:10.18182/tjf.1662491
Chicago
Şafak, İsmail, and Devrim Karademir. 2025. “What Do Forest Firefighters Think about Organization and Infrastructure Problems in Combating Large Forest Fires?”. Turkish Journal of Forestry 26 (2): 148-56. https://doi.org/10.18182/tjf.1662491.
EndNote
Şafak İ, Karademir D (June 1, 2025) What do forest firefighters think about organization and infrastructure problems in combating large forest fires? Turkish Journal of Forestry 26 2 148–156.
IEEE
[1]İ. Şafak and D. Karademir, “What do forest firefighters think about organization and infrastructure problems in combating large forest fires?”, Turkish Journal of Forestry, vol. 26, no. 2, pp. 148–156, June 2025, doi: 10.18182/tjf.1662491.
ISNAD
Şafak, İsmail - Karademir, Devrim. “What Do Forest Firefighters Think about Organization and Infrastructure Problems in Combating Large Forest Fires?”. Turkish Journal of Forestry 26/2 (June 1, 2025): 148-156. https://doi.org/10.18182/tjf.1662491.
JAMA
1.Şafak İ, Karademir D. What do forest firefighters think about organization and infrastructure problems in combating large forest fires? Turkish Journal of Forestry. 2025;26:148–156.
MLA
Şafak, İsmail, and Devrim Karademir. “What Do Forest Firefighters Think about Organization and Infrastructure Problems in Combating Large Forest Fires?”. Turkish Journal of Forestry, vol. 26, no. 2, June 2025, pp. 148-56, doi:10.18182/tjf.1662491.
Vancouver
1.İsmail Şafak, Devrim Karademir. What do forest firefighters think about organization and infrastructure problems in combating large forest fires? Turkish Journal of Forestry. 2025 Jun. 1;26(2):148-56. doi:10.18182/tjf.1662491