Smoke surrounds a blaze raging between Dinniyyeh and Akkar in North Lebanon, July 8, 2023. (Courtesy of Michel Hallak)
BEIRUT — A fire ravaging forest lands in Akkar and Dinniyeh, North Lebanon, still rages Saturday for the fourth consecutive day, L'Orient-Le Jour's correspondent on the ground reported.
Difficult terrain has made it challenging for firefighters to reach the site of the blaze, he said. A fog bank that has lingered in the region for two days has so far helped to contain the fire, which hasn't been fanned by winds.
For days now Meshmesh mayor Mohamad Berri has urged the Lebanese army to send helicopters to help extinguish the blaze or at least to prevent its spreading. Teams of Civil Defense and firefighters from neighboring municipalities have mobilized in anticipation of an escalation.
The country sees many such fires each year, especially in North Lebanon during the summer and autumn.
Recent weeks have seen near-daily wildfires in Lebanon, particularly in Akkar governorate, where public funding and equipment shortages for the Civil Defense mean some volunteer groups have had to step in to help.
South Lebanon
L'Orient Today's correspondent also reported a serious fire in southern Lebanon Saturday. Images show firefighters battling flames in green and arid spaces in the Sharhabil area near Saida, ravaging olive groves. Local residents arecall for the Civil Defense to intervene.
Civil Defense teams managed to put out the fire in Sharhabil Saturday afternoon, the state-run National News Agency reported. Some local residents were treated on the spot for breathing difficulties.
Firefighters work to extinguish a fire in Sharhabil, Saida, July 8, 2023. (Courtesy of Muntasser Abdallah)
Michel Hallak and Muntasser Abdallah contributed reporting to this story.