Fire safety and community resilience in mountainous areas: The case of Manavgat fire in 2021

Mountainous areas are difficult to access. This makes mountainous areas protected in terms of the protection and sustainability of forest cover, wildlife and clean water resources. However, this advantageous situation causes vulnerability in possible fires due to the intertwined or bordering of forest and mountainous areas, the distance of mountainous area residents to fire brigades, slope and difficult road conditions. This study was conducted to reveal the state of fire safety in mountainous area settlements, to determine the problems during and after the fire and to offer solutions to make these settlements more resistant to fires that may occur. In this context, interviews were conducted between 03.08.2021-09.08.2021 with the mountainous area neighborhoods affected by the forest fire in Antalya Manavgat, which is considered as the biggest fire disaster in Turkey, using semi-structured interview technique within the scope of the research, the interviews were recorded and written and verbal permissions were obtained from the interviewees. The data obtained were analyzed using qualitative analysis methods with MAXQDA20 package program. In addition to the interview data, the researcher took part in intervention activities in the region during the period when the fires were active, made observations and collected data by experiencing the event. This strengthens the research as both a phenomenology and a case study. Mountainous settlements are not prepared for fires. It has been determined that there are deficiencies in early warning and evacuation, and that they cannot intervene due to water problems. A "Voluntary Self-Help Organization" should be established by providing fire safety training and response equipment to the residents. In order to establish a stronger coordination and organization in fire management processes, communication and cooperation between residents, institutions and NGOs should be strengthened, and a "Fire Safety Governance" process should be established to ensure its sustainability.