21.05.2026 12:00
Morel mushrooms have started to appear abundantly this year in the areas scorched by the large forest fire that broke out in Bilecik last year. The mushroom, whose fresh kilo reaches up to 1,000 lira and dried kilo up to 7,500 TL, has become an additional source of income for residents living in villages affected by the fire.
The 140 thousand hectares of forest area that was devastated in a fire last year in Bilecik has begun to turn green again, while the morel mushroom, which provides an additional income source for villagers and whose fresh kilogram price has risen to a thousand lira and dried one to 7,500 TL, has brought smiles to faces.
The forest fire that started in July of last year, 2025, in the Geyve district of Sakarya and spread to the Osmaneli district of Bilecik was brought under control before dawn after 5 days. In the fire, 140 thousand hectares of forest area turned to ash, one neighborhood was completely burned, and 14 villages were damaged.
SOLD FOR A THOUSAND LIRA PER KILO
The morel mushroom, which has been rarely seen recently due to drought, with fresh ones sold for a thousand lira per kilo and dried ones for 7,500 TL, has reappeared in the forested areas of the Borcak, Büyükyenice, and Kızılöz villages in Osmaneli, which were affected by the fire, following the effective rains this week. Villagers have started working with sticks in hand, searching under every stone to collect the morel mushroom, which has high economic and nutritional value and is exported abroad.
"SOMETIMES I COLLECTED 6-7 CASES OF MUSHROOMS IN A DAY"
Recep Apak, a local resident searching for morel mushrooms, explained that after forest fires, morel mushrooms sprout from the forest, saying, "This mushroom starts on March 10 and continues until May 25. If the weather is humid and it rains, it doesn't stop; this period extends even longer. One day I went to the land, towards the Kızılöz cemeteries of Büyükyenice. It was as if you had planted them by hand, I mean like they were planted. That day I collected about 6-7 cases of mushrooms, totaling 30 kilos. That was my best day. Now, why is there so much mushroom here?" he said.
"MUSHROOMS SPROUTED AFTER THE FIRE"
Continuing his speech, Recep Apak said, "During the fire, when big machinery opened roads, there are many mushrooms in places where the soil was turned over. For example, this green area behind us, you can't find any even if you search. The climate isn't right there. After the ash from the fire spread into nature, an interaction occurred and mushrooms sprouted. So, they come out more in burned areas."
"I REALLY LIKED THE ONION SAUTÉ"
Providing information about the dishes they make from the mushroom, Recep Apak said, "Honestly, I really liked the onion sauté. My wife made stuffed mushrooms with bulgur; that turned out different. Then we made them with cheese, baked them. We made them with eggs. So, it can be cooked in every way."