After Greece, Turkey is also facing the problem of forest fires, but why are Australia and New Zealand worried?

After Greece, serious fires are also spreading in Turkey, and authorities fear that the flames could reach Anzac Cove, the burial place of thousands of Australian and New Zealand soldiers. Türkiye todayThe Eurasian nation is currently battling wildfires in four provinces: Canakkale, Bolu, Izmir and Manisa.

In Canakkale province, a fire broke out in the Eceabat district, near the village of Buyukanafarta. The fire was so strong that it eventually led to the closure of the 57th Regiment Memorial and Conkbayiri on the historic Gallipoli Peninsula. Meanwhile, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli assured that the fires did not pose a risk to residential areas and said that necessary precautions were being taken to mitigate the problem.

“Fortunately, the fire was brought under control before reaching the 57th Regiment Memorial. No structures were damaged in Conkbayiri. Our efforts will continue throughout the night, but so far everything is going well. I hope to share even better news tomorrow morning,” the Turkish official told reporters on Friday: Türkiye today reported.

Threat to an important site

Meanwhile, the Australian and New Zealand governments are expressing concern about the risk of the bushfires spreading and reaching Anzac Cove. At a joint press conference with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed his concern about the issue.

“Our thoughts today are also with our friends in Turkey. We know that efforts are being made to control the fires burning on the Gallipoli peninsula,” the Australian Prime Minister said. “Gallipoli is, of course, hallowed ground for both our countries. Eighteen thousand were injured during the campaign. And more than 7,200 Australians were buried in cemeteries or missing.”

Authorities take matters into their own hands

Turkish official Bekir Karacabey shared drone footage of forest fires and claimed that authorities were taking matters into their own hands. “We are relentlessly intervening from the ground and air with #YeşilVatan guards to control the forest fire in Eceabat, Çanakkale,” he wrote on X.

To control the forest fire in Eceabat, Çanakkale #YesilVatanWe intervene non-stop from land and air with the guards of .

Let’s be careful to prevent other fires in these days when the fire risk increases due to extraordinary weather conditions. foto.twitter.com/mhRT55lhnF

—BekirKARACABEY (@BekirKARACABEY_) August 15, 2024

“We are concerned about avoiding more fires in these days when the risk of fires increases due to extraordinary weather conditions,” the Turkish official continued. For his part, Yumakli warned that the next three days of operation to stop forest fires will be “extremely risky” due to low humidity, high temperatures and strong winds.