RSL Australia monitoring bushfires in Gallipoli Peninsula

Bushfires burning in Gallipoli, Turkey, are being monitored by the Returned & Services League of Australia to ensure the protection of the sacred WWI battleground.

Fires broke out on the Gallipoli Peninsula earlier this week due to extreme temperatures and high humidity in the region.

While communication from the area is still limited, RSL Australia President Greg Melick said he understood the site had been closed to protect the community and to allow firefighters to do their job.

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"We are confident that the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, local authorities and firefighters will do all they can to protect and rehabilitate the sacred sites and monuments, but we understand that the situation is serious and remain concerned," he said.

It has not yet been confirmed if Australian war graves and memorials have been damaged in the bushfires.

Turkey commonly battles with forest fires in the summer season.

Authorities announced two months ago that record-breaking temperatures across the country had led to a massive increase in forest fires compared to last year.

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Melick said the RSL would continue to seek information from Turkish authorities about the landing site.

As the site of the 1915 landing of Australian and New Zealand troops, the Peninsula is considered a sacred site for Australia, New Zealand and Turkey.

It is the site that gave rise to the ANZAC legend, the RSL said.