EVALUATION OF GUZELYALI SETTLEMENT IN TERMS OF FIRE RESISTANCE

Abstract

Turkey faces fire risks in the summer months due to its location in the Mediterranean cli-mate zone. In recent years, climate change and drought have increased this risk. In terms of climate, the fact that the number of windy days in the summer in Çanakkale Province is high and that wind speeds sometimes rise significantly can cause fires to spread very quickly and even become uncontrollable. In August 2025, fires that broke out in many different areas of Çanakkale were controlled only after a long time due to the effect of the wind, causing damage over vast areas. While these fires severely harm the region's ecological system and wildlife, they also destroy residential areas, infrastructure, and the socio-economic life of the region. In the fire that occurred in August 2025 in Çanakkale, many homes and vehi-cles in Güzelyalı village, connected to the central district, became unusable. Since the area is used as a summer resort, this was the period when the population was at its peak, and there was widespread panic. This study was conducted based on this problem. The study identified through literature reviews what should be considered in the planning of residential areas, especially the parts that are closely integrated with forests. By examining the climate characteristics of Çanakkale, the study aimed to analyze the use of fire-resistant plants in the landscaping around the Güzelyalı residential area. As a result, necessary measures to prevent the recurrence of the same problem in the future were discussed.