Forest fire in Btormaz, Dinnieh that broke out Thursday night. (Courtesy of Michel Hallak/L'Orient-Le Jour))
BEIRUT — A major fire that broke out Thursday night in the forested areas around the town of Btormaz, in the North Governate, and was under control Friday morning reignited in the afternoon, the state-run National News Agency reported.
Civil defense fighters returned to the fire site to prevent its expansion, fearing the strong winds might speed its spread, the NNA reported.
At least one firefighter was mildly injured, according to L'Orient Today's correspondent in the region.
“After strenuous efforts that continued since the night hours to put out the fire, the fire is now being cooled down and controlled by the volunteers of the Civil Defense centers, with the support of the Emergency and Relief Agency, responder teams and local citizens,” Caretaker Environment Minister Nasser Yassin tweeted earlier on Friday.
He warned that, due to climate change, similar wildfires are likely to break out in March this year.
Later in the day Friday, Yassin added that Lebanon is "witnessing a transient wave of hot and dry air in most regions, which increases the risk of fires and their expansion."
The caretaker Environment Minister warned of the danger of rapidly spreading fires at the end of this week, with more fires feared in Dinnieh and Akkar on Friday, and others in Iqleem el Kharroub, the western Bekaa and South Lebanon on Sunday.
An infographic illustrating fire danger index in Lebanon for Sunday, March, 5, 2023. (Credit: University of Balamand)
Many forest fires occur annually in Lebanon, especially during the summer and autumn seasons, and are often caused by humans. Yassin previously stated that such fires are usually man-made.
The North and Akkar governates, home to large swaths of green areas, are particularly prone to forest fires. Civil Defense teams and volunteer groups often intervene to extinguish fires but frequently struggle with equipment shortages due to Lebanon's ongoing economic crisis.
Organizations such as the National Council for Scientific Research in Lebanon (CNRS) warn of the increased risk of fires spreading in the country.
Reporting contributed by Michel Hallak.