On June 26, a wildfire erupted in scrubland near Türkiye’s northwestern province of Çanakkale, spreading towards the ancient city of Assos.
The fire broke out in the Ayvacık district around 4:30 p.m. local time (1330 GMT), prompting the deployment of firefighting aircraft and vehicles.
Fueled by strong winds, the fire quickly moved towards Assos. Firefighters worked both from the air and on the ground to battle the flames. Videos on social media showed worried residents observing as the fire engulfed the entrance road to the ancient city.
The fire has not posed threats to local settlements.
Founded between 1000 and 900 BC, Assos was once home to the renowned Greek philosopher Aristotle. Today, it’s a popular tourist destination along the Aegean coast, known for its ancient ruins. The city was included on UNESCO’s tentative list of World Heritage Sites in 2017
