Suay Karaman
Disasters are defined as the material and emotional destruction caused by various natural events. The forest fires we frequently see in our country are man-made disasters.
The simultaneous outbreak of forest fires in many parts of our country cannot be explained solely by climate change. The forest fires that lasted throughout June and July and continue to this day are caused by cigarette butts thrown into forests, bottles thrown, stubble burning, and sparks from touching electrical wires. However, it is also a well-known fact that terrorist organizations are deliberately setting fires for hotel construction and mining exploration areas.
In April 2003, the AKP government attempted to amend Articles 169 and 170 of the 1982 Constitution, which protect forests. However, after then-President Ahmet Necdet Sezer vetoed the law twice, the amendment was not implemented. Under the AKP government, our forests have been left unattended, benefiting vested interests, and forest lands have been opened to construction profiteering and the exploitation of domestic and foreign mining companies.
The Buca Forest Fire Training Center and the Belek Forest Fire Base, where firefighting personnel were trained and firefighting personnel trained, were closed in 2018. Today, a luxury hotel belonging to the Minister of Tourism stands on the grounds of the Belek Forest Fire Base.
In our country, forest fires were previously fought with Turkish Aeronautical Association aircraft, but the AKP government seized control of the Turkish Aeronautical Association, failed to maintain the aircraft, failed to expand the fleet, and dismissed trained and experienced personnel. Consequently, aircraft leased from abroad were used to combat the fires, but these efforts proved inadequate. The Ministry of Forestry's 27 aircraft and helicopters on standby proved insufficient in recent fires. The bottom line is that our forests are being burned to occupy our country and weaken society's resistance.
While observation and control can be achieved with drones, it is possible to quickly intervene in fires with Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) using fire extinguishing cannons (bombs), fire extinguishing capsules, and fire extinguishing rockets. Today, UAVs are used in Turkey for early detection and surveillance of forest fires. In China, unmanned firefighting vehicles, carrying 50-100 kg fire extinguishing cannons, are used in high-rise buildings and forest fires. In the US, unmanned firefighting vehicles drop fire extinguishing capsules in predetermined areas to prevent the spread of fires. These capsules are used to direct and extinguish the fire. In Australia, drones are used for early prevention and control of forest fires.
Fire extinguishers and fire balls are small capsules, usually containing dry chemical or liquid extinguishing agent. They are dropped by a UAV at a designated location, and the capsule explodes, extinguishing the fire. A single capsule can typically extinguish an area of 2-10 m². This provides an advantage in inaccessible areas when directly attacking the epicenter of a forest fire.
Forest fires can be fought quickly, effectively, and safely with unmanned aerial vehicles. These heat-resistant, high-impact fire extinguishing drones can carry approximately 50 cannons and have a flight endurance of at least two hours. By encircling the fire area, they can quickly extinguish large areas. The basketball-sized, 1300-gram fire extinguishing drones have an effective range of approximately 10 acres. Upon impact, the capsule explodes, releasing chemicals into the surrounding area. They contain a highly effective fire extinguishing chemical made from boron salt, which is harmless to the environment. They can respond to an area of more than 300 acres in an hour without requiring any manpower. This system can contribute to strengthening Türkiye's disaster preparedness level, both technologically and environmentally. Thus, by responding to forest fires early, the spread of fire can be prevented, the safety of firefighters can be significantly protected, and forest assets can be saved with minimal damage. Furthermore, the endurance and flight costs of UAVs are significantly more advantageous than piloted systems like helicopters and aircraft.
If all this is known, but it's not used in forest firefighting, then it can be concluded that forest firefighting is undesirable. The blatant destruction of forests for hotel construction and mining sites can only be explained by treason. When religion is used as a reference, unscientific actions are being undertaken, leading to anachronistic approaches in every field. A similar situation is observed in the inadequacy of forest fire response.
The Presidency of Religious Affairs announced that prayers will be held after the Isha prayer in mosques across the country on Saturday, July 5th, to urge an immediate end to the forest fires. It's clear how far we've strayed from science. Before the Isha call to prayer on Thursday, August 31st, prayers were offered in all mosques for protection against fires, droughts, and other disasters. Those who claim that these fires and disasters will end through prayer will achieve nothing.
In the Friday sermon delivered by the Presidency of Religious Affairs in all mosques on August 1, 2025 (there should be no room for sermons and similar events in a secular state), it was claimed that the clothing industry, fashion designers, and some media circles were encouraging nudity and trivializing the veil. It was stated , "Wearing short clothes and transparent clothing, wherever and for whatever purpose, is a violation of God's command to cover oneself and is forbidden." Those who had tattoos and plastic surgery, and those who shared posts on social media wearing clothing contrary to religion, were also targeted.
With this outdated mindset, success cannot be achieved in any field, let alone forest fires. The Presidency of Religious Affairs has made no statement regarding corruption, bribery, the abuse and deaths of women and children, and unlawful practices. This institution, whose perspective on women is flawed, must also be reformed. Our country is spiraling towards collapse day by day, gripped by betrayal, ignorance, and indifference. The education, knowledge, and efforts of a small minority are insufficient to awaken the vast masses whose minds have been numbed. We are struggling in the wreckage of a massive collapse in every sphere: moral, economic, political, legal, and educational. It must be understood that all these problems can be overcome through secular, contemporary, and scientific education.