Energy-Linked Wildfires Surge as Official Reports Clash with Experts

As Turkey battles widespread wildfires, experts are sounding the alarm on a growing but overlooked culprit: the nation’s aging and poorly maintained energy transmission lines. According to data, energy-related fires accounted for 6.06% of all wildfires in 2024, but alarmingly, they were responsible for 11.87% of total burned forest area—a disproportionate share that’s raising serious concern.

A graphic shared by economist İnan Mutlu reveals that in 2016, just 2.13% of wildfires were energy-related. That figure has nearly tripled by 2024, even though these fires are relatively fewer in number. The severity of their impact, however, is growing fast: in 2024 alone, 3,236 hectares of forestland were scorched due to energy infrastructure failures.

İzmir Fires Deepen Controversy

Recent wildfires in İzmir’s Çeşme, Seferihisar, and Foça districts reignited the debate. Governor Süleyman Elban pointed to electric lines as the source. Yet, GDZ Elektrik, the regional provider, denied any conclusive findings. Contradicting both was the İzmir Fire Department’s technical report, which confirmed that a short circuit in a high-voltage line had indeed triggered a fire in Menderes.

The incident exemplifies the tension between official statements and field reports, highlighting a wider credibility gap in how fire causes are being reported and addressed.

230 Fires Traced to Power Infrastructure in 2024

The Chamber of Electrical Engineers (EMO) has been vocal about the risks. In a technical bulletin, it cited loose connections, broken insulators, colliding conductors in windy conditions, and untrimmed tree branches contacting power lines as the main ignition sources. EMO also referenced the Diyarbakır tragedy, where 17 people died, noting that the preliminary investigation cited electrical failure—a reminder that this is not just a forest issue.

Data from the General Directorate of Forestry supports these warnings: 230 wildfires in 2024 were officially linked to energy infrastructure.

Officials Deny, But Experts Warn of Growing Risk

Despite mounting data and expert warnings, the Presidency’s Communications Directorate dismissed claims of frequent energy-related fires as “disinformation.” This dismissal has triggered backlash from technical bodies and environmental groups, who say the evidence speaks for itself.

As climate change makes forest ecosystems more fragile, even minor faults in transmission systems can escalate into ecological disasters. Experts are urging regular maintenance, vegetation management, and proactive safeguards—especially in high-risk zones.