By Chris Evans
Recent weeks have seen wildfires breaking out all over the world, causing huge damage to the environment, homes, and livelihoods. One such outbreak saw a concerning number occur in the Didim area, ranging from Yesiltepe to Apollon Temple to Hunter’s Valley.
It’s incredibly rare for three separate fires to break out in quick succession. All of us should be extremely grateful to the emergency services who risk their own safety to put the fires out as quickly as possible.
I’ve seen them in action and they are truly superb. The speed the wildfires spread is truly frightening. The faster the emergency services can be informed and get to the fire, the easier it is to control.
We don’t know, as yet, what started the fires around Didim. However, there are actions we can all take to reduce the risk of these fires starting. It’s unfair to ask the emergency services to take risks when small efforts from ourselves can help prevent them in the first place.
Earlier this year, I spent a couple of mornings with the Plogging In Didim group picking up rubbish from the areas around Sagtur beach. The recent outbreak of wildfires highlighted how important a job is done by this amazing group of people from all nationalities.
The main thing that struck me was the amount of broken glass bottles people leave behind in the scrubland. Anyone who had a magnifying glass as a child knows sunlight on glass can create fire.
It seems strange how so many beverages are served in glass bottles. It’s understandable for bars and restaurants, who dispose of them responsibly, but there are plenty of alternatives that can be used.
The push away from plastic has also improved this. If we take away the problem, then we can address the bigger issue of behavioural change.
Discarding rubbish irresponsibly is bad behaviour. There are plenty of bins around the area. It’s also easy to put rubbish in a bin liner and take it home to dispose of.
Our local binmen work every day to empty the bins. They’re also incredibly friendly. There truly is no reason for people to discard broken bottles and other rubbish. It causes and acts as fuel for fires. It’s something we all have a responsibility to educate people about.
Cigarette ends are also a hazard. I do smoke, so am guilty of this particular vice. However, I always have a small bag in my pocket to put my cigarette ends in. They don’t need to be thrown on the beach or into scrubland. It’s unpleasant for others and a danger to all.
I admit, my habit of taking them with me was influenced by my mornings with Plogging In Didim. The numbers of empty cigarette packets and discarded ends were astonishing. I’m amazed we haven’t seen even more fires. We all make mistakes, myself more than most, but the more we can minimise risk, the safer it will be for everyone.
Obviously, there are many ways these wildfires can start. Some are just the extreme heat, low humidity, and an incredibly dry landscape. All we can do is to be vigilant and help the emergency services by informing them of any fires as quickly as possible.
There is one other major contributor to so many of these wildfires around the world. I still find it extraordinary people think lighting a fire or BBQ in a public area surrounded by scrubland is a good idea. Thankfully, it is becoming harder to purchase single use bbqs which is a step in the right direction.
Turkiye has also been excellent at banning any form of open heat source from national parks and other areas. Sadly, unless behaviours change, more draconian laws will have to be implemented. We all complain about governments around the world having too much control over our lives. Yet, the dangerous behaviour of some means they have no choice.
We all have a responsibility to educate our communities, and ourselves, to help minimise the risks of wildfires and the destruction they can bring. Small changes can prevent many of these issues and keep us all safe.