Summer wildfires threaten Türkiye’s ancient cities and archaeological sites

Türkiye is facing a growing threat from summer wildfires, particularly during the hot summer months. These fires not only devastate forests but also pose a significant danger to the country’s ancient cities and archaeological sites.

As global warming continues to impact the environment, the risk of wildfires has increased, bringing both natural and historical treasures under threat.

The destruction caused by these fires can take decades to repair, which points to the urgent need for effective preventive measures and increased public awareness to protect Türkiye’s invaluable cultural heritage.

Wildfires in Türkiye pose risks to archaeological sites

Professor Havva Iskan Isik points out that wildfires have started posing a significant threat to archaeological sites. She emphasizes that ancient cities in the Mediterranean and Aegean regions face higher risks.

“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,” she says.

Iskan stresses the importance of preventing fires, especially during these times of extreme heat. While state institutions fulfill their duties, public awareness remains low.

Forest fires in Türkiye over past 50 years

Looking back at the past 50 years, wildfires in Türkiye caused the most extensive forest damage in 2021, with 52,219.5 hectares affected. However, these fires have also threatened ancient sites. In 2019, a fire near the ancient city of Perge in Antalya was extinguished just in time.

In 2021, large fires in Marmaris threatened the ancient city of Amos. More recently, in 2022, a fire in Manavgat damaged the walls of the ancient city of Seleukeia (Lyrbe), founded in the third century B.C.

This year, fires in Canakkale did not harm historical structures, but the ancient city of Assos sustained partial damage.

Preventive measures, public awareness for wildfires in Türkiye

Iskan suggests several measures to reduce the risk of fire damage. She asserted the need for public service announcements on TV to raise awareness about the importance of fire prevention.

Additionally, she recommends cleaning vegetation around archaeological sites to reduce the severity of fires. Regular inspections of electrical lines and keeping fire hydrants ready at archaeological sites are also crucial steps.

Turkish government’s initiatives for risk management

Officials from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism have also outlined their efforts to reduce wildfire risks.

“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,” they said.

The rising threat of wildfires to Türkiye’s ancient cities and archaeological sites calls for vigilant preventive measures and increased public awareness.

Iskan and government officials stress the need for a coordinated approach to protect these invaluable cultural heritages from the devastating effects of wildfires.