Türkiye’s National Medical Rescue Team responds to devastating wildfires

Linked to climate change, heatwaves and wildfires in several parts of the WHO European Region and beyond are becoming more dire every year, claiming hundreds of thousands of lives.

Türkiye, one of the 53 Member States of the WHO European Region, has been battling a series of devastating wildfires. Driven by extreme weather conditions, including high temperatures and strong winds, the fires have caused widespread damage and led to people evacuating their homes.

Since the beginning of June 2024, Türkiye’s National Medical Rescue Team (UMKE) has been supporting those affected by the fires in many provinces, with the main efforts focused on Adıyaman, Antalya and Izmir.

UMKE are treating people affected by wildfires.

Linked to fires, smoke is a health risk as burning vegetation generates toxic gases and particles.

Young children, older adults and people with cardiovascular or respiratory conditions like asthma may be more at risk of the health effects of both heat and smoke.

It is important to follow the advice of national authorities when wildfires threaten.

Smoke can cause eye and respiratory tract irritation, but inhaling smoke can also cause reduced lung function, bronchitis, exacerbated asthma and even premature death.

To reduce the health risks of smoke inhalation:

• stay indoors, if safe;


• keep your home cool and reduce other sources of indoor air pollution, for example, from propane gas or wood-burning stoves;


• if particularly at risk, stay in air-conditioned spaces, if possible, and wear a mask (preferably an FFP2/N95 mask) if you need to move outside; and


• reduce unnecessary travel.

Outdoor workers and rescue workers are also at high risk owing to increased occupational exposure.

Even far away from the blaze, smoke from wildfires can contribute to higher exposures to air pollution.

The fine particles in smoke can penetrate deep into lung passageways and enter the bloodstream.

This can result in long-term cardiovascular and breathing issues.

“This year, we’ve seen more fire incidents compared to previous years,” said Dr Şükrü Yorulmaz, Head of the Disaster and Emergency Management Department at Türkiye’s Ministry of Health. “However, thanks to the experience we have gained as a country and the measures taken by the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the fires were swiftly responded to and brought under control in a very short period of time. As the Ministry, during this process, we, particularly as UMKE, immediately took our place in the field alongside both our firefighting teams and other rescue teams as soon as the incident occurred. We took the necessary measures to protect the health of our citizens and workers, providing all necessary medical assistance on-site.”

Member States of the European Region – encompassing Europe and central Asia – have committed to prioritizing the health impacts of climate change via the landmark Budapest Declaration reached last year, through which governments and health partners spell out a number of specific measures that can be taken. The climate/health nexus is a key pillar of WHO/Europe’s work in support of Member States going forward.