More than 90 hectares of forest burnt in the region of Sinn, Akkar, after a major fire that lasted more than two days. (Credit: Akkar trail NGO)
BEIRUT — At least 90 hectares of forest burned, centuries-old trees ravaged, homes affected, and more than 200 tired volunteers.
After more than two days of fighting the massive wildfire that broke out Saturday morning in the Sinn region of Akkar, northern Lebanon, the blaze was brought under control Monday morning, the Akkar Trail Association told L'Orient Today.
Forces with Lebanese Civil Defence and the Lebanese Army, as well as volunteer residents and Akkar Trail members, all mobilized to fight the wildfire. No casualties were reported.
In a press release, Akkar Trail Association said this wildfire is just the beginning. Lebanon is still at the start of its wildfire season, and the country has limited capacity and resources to fight the flames.
'Uncontrollable'
The army deployed two helicopters to extinguish "the biggest and most violent" wildfire of the season, so far.
The two helicopters carried out more than 150 extinguishing runs. A state of vigilance and surveillance is currently being maintained in the event of another outbreak.
A Lebanese army helicopter helps to extinguish the huge fire that broke out in Akkar, June 24th 2023. (Credit: Akkar trail NGO)
The wildfire reached homes in the Sinn-Daoura region, but no human lives were lost. Strong winds, lack of roads and the mountainous topography of the region all hampered volunteers' efforts to extinguish the fire.
Khaled Taleb, the founder of Akkar Trail Association and a volunteer firefighter, told L’Orient Today that he “is sure that [these] are man-made fires."
"For us, it’s a given," said Taleb. “In this region, we don’t have the factors that lead to natural wildfires. No lightning took place, and the area does not even have electricity wires or any other factor that would cause it to light up on fire.
Wildfires in the region are usually started by someone who "wants to use public land for personal purposes, or for pure sabotage,” Taleb explained to L’Orient Today.
He also noted that “the fires usually break out in the early morning or late at night, which further proves that someone is lighting them when no one is around.”
Activists filed complaints to authorities and sent footage of a man, “whose face clearly shows in the video," setting a forest on fire in Akkar.
"We are still waiting for the result of the investigation,” said Taleb.
A lesson
In a press release, the Akkar Trail Association complained of "heavy damage" from a blaze whose "force was appalling and indescribable."
According to the press release, almost 95 hectares were affected and the fire reached a width of more than six kilometers.
"More than 48 hours after it started, the fire has been completely extinguished after the relentless efforts of the fire crews," said the Akkar Trail Association.
Some small flames remain, but they do not pose an immediate threat to the area.
"This [fire] does not bode well for this season," the association added. "This fire should teach a lesson in the need for preparedness, rapid intervention and mutual support from all those involved to achieve the best results and protect our forests."
In a Saturday statement, caretaker Environment Minister Nasser Yassin announced that he was "asking the courts to open a judicial inquiry, and the Civil Defense and security forces to investigate ... the causes of the fire."
The minister called for cooperation between municipalities, local administrations, residents and environmental associations to raise awareness of fire risks and prevent people from burning garbage and brush.
Reporting contributed by Michel Hallak.