Nature amazes us every time we delve into its secrets and facts. Among them are natural fires that have arisen and are still burning to this day for no apparent and known reason!
It turns out that some fires and flames have been ignited for thousands of years and are still going on, regardless of other natural factors such as storms or rain that did not affect the intensity of their glow!
A fire requires three sources to keep burning: oxygen, fuel, and a heat source. If these three things did not run out, it might theoretically be possible to burn forever.
Some of these fires are found in long-running wildfires, where vast forests serve as unlimited sources of fuel, making these fires virtually impossible to put out.
Here, we take a look at a few of these fires that have come to play a major role in peoples' natural and religious cultural history, and are also popular tourist attractions!
Natural fires have been burning for thousands of years for unknown reasons
1- Neran Yanar Dag “Mountain of Fire” - Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan has earned the nickname “Land of Fire” over the years, due to the spontaneous fires that can appear in various places across its mountains and seas; Even the state's coat of arms features red flames in the middle.
Azerbaijan is also known to be the birthplace of Zoroastrianism, one of the oldest religions in the world, centered on the sacred belief in the fire.
Apart from being an element of astonishment, these natural fires are caused by the abundance of gas reserves in the country.
Most of these fires are eventually ignited due to the depletion of these resources and tectonic shifts, but the fire in Yanar Dag is one of the most incredible natural flames still burning today. The flames continue to burn even in winter when the snow never reaches the ground.
The first known record of its existence is cited in the travels of Marco Polo in the 13th century when he visited the city of Baku. This fire has been burning ever since and forms a wall of fire along the edge of the mountain. It is now a highly-rated tourist attraction protected by the State Historical, Cultural, and Nature Reserve.
2- Flaming Mountain - Australia
Eastern Australia has an abundance of the ingredients needed to sustain fires: the fuel comes in the form of vegetation that is excessively dry, due to weather conditions, while the source of heat is usually lightning or human causes.
Although most areas of Australia experience such fires, the eastern and southern coasts, where most of the population reside, are known for the highest number of fires in the country.
The most famous of these fires is one of the longest-burning fires in the world, which was lit 6,000 years ago, under the coal seam of Mount Wengen, a hill in New South Wales. The word “Wingen” itself is derived from the native language of the Wonnarua Aboriginal tribe and means “fire”.
The exact cause of the fire is not known, but scientists suggest it may have been caused by a lightning strike at the seam. These types of coal do not contain flames like a normal fire, but they glow with heat at a temperature of more than a thousand degrees Celsius, at a depth of 30 meters below the surface, and there are holes in the surface that allow smoke and the smell of sulfur to enter.
The exact age of the fire is not known, but 6,000 years is considered a low possibility. It has likely been burning for a hundred thousand years or more and could continue to burn for thousands more.
3- The Smoky Hills - Canada
These hills that cover the coast in the Canadian Arctic have been described as "hellish-looking" in appearance and for a good reason. Although the area is largely unknown, these fires have been burning for approximately 7,000 to 10,000 years and are mentioned in the legends of the history of the Invaluit, who believed that smoke from these fires rose from the campfires of the people who lived in the land.
Irish explorer Robert McClure saw this smoke for the first time during Franklin's expedition. He brought a sample of one of the rare minerals found there, but the metal was so hot that it poked a hole in his desk.
The appearance of this place makes it look even more intimidating. The mountain is surrounded by remote arctic tundra, an area mostly untouched by humans, but the size of the ridge is a stark contrast.
The ground is black and covered in deep mud, which gives off a strong smell of hydrogen sulfide gas, and smoke billows from the vents. The air in the area is so toxic that entering without protective gear can burn your eyes or throat, and even kill you if you get too close! Even shoes will melt if you spend too much time on this fickle land.
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