Smoke rising from the fire off the Batroun coast on 26 July 2023. (Courtesy of Michel Hallak/L'Orient Today)
BEIRUT — A large fire broke out Wednesday afternoon in the Hanoush area along the coast near Batroun, according to L’Orient Today’s correspondent in the north.
Smoke clouds rose to a height of over 300 meters, covering an area of more than 2 kilometers. The flames were moving toward the forests and orchards on the outskirts of Hamat.
The cause of the fire has not yet been identified.
The Lebanese Army, civil defense vehicles and a helicopter from Hamat military air base were deployed to extinguish the flames before they spread to nearby houses, endangering the Lady of Nourieh Monastery and the vicinity of Mar Semaan Monastery.
The coastal road at the old Chekka tunnel was closed due to the dense smoke.
According to our correspondent, the fire was almost completely controlled by Wednesday afternoon. Cooling and monitoring operations are underway to prevent any rekindling.
Numerous fires occur in Lebanon every year, both in summer and autumn. In recent weeks, wildfires have been reported almost daily.
In early July, the Ministry of Environment and Civil Defense warned of an increased risk of fire in most Lebanese regions due to elevated temperatures.
Reporting contributed by Michel Hallak.
Smoke clouds rose to a height of over 300 meters, covering an area of more than 2 kilometers. The flames were moving toward the forests and orchards on the outskirts of Hamat.The cause of the fire has not yet been identified.
The...