Wildfire threatens world’s oldest temple Gobeklitepe in Türkiye
A fire broke out in the mountainous area near Gobeklitepe, Sanliurfa, Türkiye, July 7, 2024. (IHA Photo)
Firefighters have successfully contained a wildfire near Gobeklitepe, one of Türkiye’s most significant archaeological sites.
The fire broke out in the mountainous area opposite Gobeklitepe, specifically in the rural Orencik and Germus neighborhoods of Sanliurfa’s Haliliye district.
The blaze, fueled by strong winds, spread rapidly across a large area.
Residents alerted authorities, prompting the swift deployment of Sanliurfa Orman Bolge Mudurlugu and firefighting teams. The fire began in a grassy area and quickly reached the surrounding woodland, resulting in extensive damage to pistachio and olive trees.
Firefighting teams worked for two hours to bring the fire under control. Cooling operations continue to prevent any re-ignition. The affected area, located about 4,32 miles (7 kilometers) from Gobeklitepe, is now under close observation.
The visibility of the flames from various points across the city indicated the severity of the incident. Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire and assessing the exact extent of the damage to the agricultural land.
This fire reflects the increasing threat that wildfires pose to Türkiye’s cultural heritage sites. Recent years have seen a rise in wildfires during the hot summer months, exacerbated by global warming.
These fires not only devastate forests and agricultural lands but also endanger historical treasures.
Earlier this month, Murat Oztekin discussed the growing risk wildfires pose to ancient cities and archaeological sites in Türkiye. He emphasized the need for effective preventive measures and increased public awareness to protect these invaluable cultural heritages.
Professor Havva Iskan Isik stressed: “People think stone doesn’t get burned, but that’s not true. For instance, Patara was burned seven times in the 1990s. The damage to ancient monuments from just one of those fires took twenty years to restore.”
The government is also taking steps to mitigate wildfire risks. Officials from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism have outlined their efforts, saying: “Besides existing measures, we are preparing a ‘Risk Analysis Project’ for all archaeological sites and museums in our country. This project includes SWOT analyses, and based on the results, we will implement comprehensive measures to minimize risks.”
