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FIRES

Wildfires continue to rage in Akkar for a second day

Wildfires continue to rage in Akkar for a second day

Wildfires burning in the area of Qobeiyat, Akkar. (Credit: Michel Hallak/OLJ)

BEIRUT — A wildfire is burning for the second day in a row in the forests and orchards of the town of Qobeiyat in Akkar.

Here's what we know:

    • Crews from the Lebanese Army and Lebanese Civil Defense, the rapid intervention team of the Akkar Trail Association, and first responders from in the Union of Jurd al-Qayta Municipalities are continuing to battle the fire, especially on the high slopes that are inaccessible to fire engines, our correspondent in the area reported.

    • The Akkar Trail Association issued a report with preliminary estimates of the losses of the Qabeet fire, which amounted to “10 hectares of agricultural land (olive) and forest (pine and oak)."It noted that the rapid intervention contributed to protecting at least 140 additional hectares from burning. The report assessed that 65% of the area that was hit by the fire was very badly damaged.

    • In recent years, Akkar's mountains have been hit repeatedly by devastating wildfires, which have also contributed to the phenomenon of illegal logging in the area. While some local residents have gathered dead wood for heating, others have taken advantage of the situation, cutting down live trees in the burned areas. 

Reporting contributed by Michel Hallak.

BEIRUT — A wildfire is burning for the second day in a row in the forests and orchards of the town of Qobeiyat in Akkar.Here's what we know:    • Crews from the Lebanese Army and Lebanese Civil Defense, the rapid intervention team of the Akkar Trail Association, and first responders from in the Union of Jurd al-Qayta Municipalities are continuing to battle the fire, especially on...