Residents begin evacuating homes as wildfires rage for third day in Akkar’s Bzal, Qobeiyat and Habshit

Local residents began evacuating their homes in Qobeiyat, Akkar, on Sunday afternoon, as wildfires, burning now for three consecutive days, continued to rage in Bzal, Qobeiyat, and Habshit areas of the northern Lebanon region, L'Orient Today's correspondent on the ground reported. Despite the extensive efforts of the Civil Defense, the First Responder Team of the Union of Jurd Qayta Municipalities and the Rapid Intervention Team of the Darb Akkar Association, the fires showed no signs of abating.

The combined efforts of dozens of firefighters, over 12 firefighting vehicles and two helicopters were not enough to contain the flames by Sunday afternoon, when the fires begun to encroach on several homes along the main road in the Jurd Qayta area of Qobeiyat, prompting residents to start evacuating as firefighters worked to create firebreaks around these homes. The Red Cross sent three vehicles to help the citizens evacuate their houses, our correspondent added.

One firefighter described the situation as catastrophic, highlighting the urgent need for more resources and support to combat the rapidly spreading fires.

Strong winds are exacerbating the situation, causing the flames to spread at an alarming rate, posing a significant threat to both the local population and the firefighting teams.

Less than a week ago, another major fire broke out in green spaces and then spread to the Tall Jbeil forests, on the outskirts of the village of Mechmech in Akkar (North Lebanon), before being brought under control.