Zahide ACAR, Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Turkey
Onur HALIS, Istanbul University, Turkey
Barbaros GÖNENÇGIL, Istanbul University, Turkey
Depending on the effects of climate change, the frequency of extreme weather events is also increasing. Extreme weather events increase vulnerability in highly sensitive areas. One of the most sensitive areas is the Mediterranean Basin. In recent years, many countries in the Mediterranean basin have struggled with wildfires and mega-fires that occurred on a larger scale. One of the countries most affected by these fires in 2021 is Turkey.
Within the scope of the study, it is aimed to draw attention to the atmospheric conditions during the period of forest fire with vandalism in the south of Turkey in the summer of 2021. Our study area is Antalya and Mugla provinces in the Mediterranean Climate Region, which is the first starting point of fires. The study focused on the areas of responsibility of Mugla and Antalya Regional Forestry Directorates between 25 July and 15 August 2021. In this context, we examined long-term and daily temperature, wind data and upper atmosphere observations of 63 meteorology stations. Buishand's, von Neumann's and Pettitt homogeneity tests were applied for the monthly temperatures of the stations with long-term data of the temperature data. Generally, non-homogeneity data are generally the times when temperatures have an increasing trend. The heatwaves have been calculated at the stations during this period. Atmospheric wind flows have been mapped and evaluated the forest fire period.
One of the most important factors is the heatwave causing of growth of forest fires and the disruption of interventions in Antalya and Mugla provinces. The heatwave, which was effective before the start date of the fires, caused an increase in the sensitivity of these areas to fire. Another factor is the foehn that develops due to the circulation of the atmosphere. Due to the negative conditions caused by the foehn during the fires, the forest areas have suffered a serious endanger in the biological diversity in the south and southwestern part of Turkey.
Mots clés : Mediterranean region|forest fire|heat wave|foehn
A103580ZA