Oldest fires in the world that are still burning, and why they deserve to be on your travel-wishlist

Fire is mostly transient in nature. However, there are some incredible places on Earth where fires burn eternally through decades, centuries, or in a rare few instances, even for thousands of years. Fuelled by underground deposits of coal, natural gas emissions, or volcanic eruptions, these eternal fires have turned into mystical tourism spots enshrined in legends and geology.
Ranging from divine fire in Asia to smoky mountains in Australia and fire pits in the Middle East, these locations are testament to nature’s ability to maintain a fire much longer than the existence of mankind itself. The following are some of the oldest fires in the world that are still active today.

Photo credit: Wikimedia/Public Domain/Beruthiel
The Burning Mountain is located in the Australian bushland and is thought to have the oldest underground coal fire in the world, estimated by scientists to be burning underneath the surface for nearly 6,000 years. This underground fire slowly progresses through the underground coal seam, forming holes of steam, warming the ground surface and leaving behind an odd and barren environment at the surface. The Burning Mountain exists in the Mount Wingen region and holds immense value for the local Aboriginal tribes, who have known about its existence even prior to any European discovery.

It is believed that the flames of Baba Gurgur in Iraq have been burning for over 4,000 years. The flames burn on top of natural gas emerging through the soil cracks. This place has interested travellers and historians from ancient times. It is even suggested that this phenomenon could have influenced Mesopotamian legends about perpetual fires.

The rocky hills around the Mediterranean coast of Türkiye host the Yanartaş location, where many flames rise out of the soil due to the leakage of methane. It is suggested that these flames have been burning for thousands of years and were connected to the ancient Greek legend of the chimera – a monster whose breath was fire. Ancient sailors reportedly used the flames as a natural lighthouse while navigating the coast. Modern tourists climb up the hill to watch glowing flames on a dark mountain background.

India has its fair share of highly spiritual eternal fires. One such example is located at Jwala Ji Temple in the state of Himachal Pradesh. While many temple flames are lit up as offerings to the gods, these blue flames emanate naturally through cracks on the rocks at the temple, thus being worshiped for generations already. They are associated with the Hindu goddess Jwala Devi, and the place is visited annually by thousands of devotees from all over India.

Possibly the most dramatic and impressive eternal flame ever created by humans, Door to Hell is a huge gas crater located somewhere deep inside Turkmenistan’s desert. In 1971, a group of Soviet engineers accidentally set it alight, expecting the fire to go out within a few days. However, it continued burning for more than fifty years since then. Known under its official name – the Darvaza Gas Crater – this place has become a real symbol of Turkmenistan and one of Central Asia’s landmarks.

The coal fire under Centralia started burning in 1962 and has not stopped yet. Although it is not among the oldest of eternal flames listed here, it turned a once vibrant mining town of Pennsylvania into one of the most eerie spots in America. The emissions of toxic gases and formation of sinkholes drove most of the residents away, leaving only the ghost town behind. The smoke rises through cracks in the soil, and the deserted streets and surroundings have become a place of interest for tourists, adventurers, and photographers fascinated by apocalyptic views.

The Yanar Dag fire is a natural gas fire that has been burning continuously on the surface of a hill in Azerbaijan for decades, perhaps even centuries. It burns right through porous sandstone and creates a beautiful wall of flames that may spread up to several meters wide. Azerbaijan is also known as the “Land of Fire,” due to its numerous natural gas deposits and eternal flames. The eternal flames had a religious significance in ancient times since they were worshipped by Zoroastrians who traveled through Azerbaijan.