An aerial photo showing the huge losses caused by a forest fire in Bezal, Akkar, North Lebanon. (Courtesy of Michel Hallak)
BEIRUT — A huge wildfire in Akkar, North Lebanon, which firefighters brought under control Saturday morning, reignited in the afternoon, L'Orient Today's correspondent reported.
Smoke from burning trees and weeds has obscured visibility, posing a threat to traffic, the correspondent said.
The wildfire, the causes of which remain unknown, broke out Friday in a valley in the outskirts of the Akkar town of Bezal.
Firefighters from Civil Defense centers in Berqayel, Halba, Sadaqa, and Bebnin Al-Abdah, as well as first responders team from the Union of Municipalities of Jurd Al-Kaytaa and the Akkar Trail Association, have been deployed to the scene, our correspondent said.
They managed to bring the fire under control this morning but operations were ongoing, as rugged and steep terrain is complicating the firefighters' work. Hot dry northerly winds have contributed to the catastrophic expansion of the fire's surface area.
Later this afternoon, the wildfire reignited in the same area, near the main road to Jurd al-Qayta’ in Bezal, the correspondent said.
Residents fear the fire will spread to adjacent forests, our correspondent said.
Caretaker Environment Minister Nasser Yassin has warned that Lebanon is facing increased risk of fire as the country witnesses "hot and dry weather accompanied by strong winds."
Lebanon has been suffering wildfires for some months, including a major blaze in the north in March, which first responders struggled to control.
Home to large swaths of forested areas, the north and Akkar are prone to forest fires. Civil Defense teams and volunteer groups often intervene to extinguish fires but face equipment shortages of due to Lebanon's economic crisis.
Reporting contributed by Michel Hallak