Human Negligence and Intentional Arson:
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Burning an old mattress: According to a key report, one of the causes of the fire was a person’s mistake while trying to burn an old mattress. This act of negligence caused the fire to quickly spread into the forest.
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Suspicious activities: Officials have detained several suspects in connection with the fire, indicating that in some cases, the fires may have been set deliberately.
Excessive Heat and Dry Weather: During July 2025, Turkey and many parts of Europe experienced a severe heatwave. Temperatures were 6°C to 12°C higher than normal, reaching up to 50.5°C in some areas. This unusual heat and the long absence of rain made the forests extremely dry and flammable, causing the fire to spread rapidly.
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Strong Winds: At the time of the fire, strong winds were blowing. These winds helped the fire spread further and made it difficult to control, leading to its massive size.
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Climate Change: According to experts, climate change is causing an increase in such extreme heat and dry weather events, which poses a significant risk for forest fires.
Thus, the fires in Turkey were caused by a combination of excessive heat and human negligence, which were made more severe by strong winds and climate change