A major fire in the forests between Shabtin, Mrah al-Hajj and Alali in the Batroun district, North Lebanon, on August 5, 2024. (Credit: Michel Hallak/L'Orient Today)
A major fire erupted Monday in forests between Shabtin, Mrah al-Hajj, and Alali in the Batroun district, according to our North Lebanon correspondent, Michel Hallak.
Winds contributed to the spread of the fire, which consumed large areas of forests and orchards and threatened nearby homes. Civil defense teams and local residents were deployed to the scene to try to control the blaze.
In a post on the social network X, Lebanese Forces MP Ghayath Yazbeck said he had contacted Civil Defense Director General Raymond Khattar and the Lebanese Army command to reinforce firefighting teams with tankers and helicopters.
After a joint effort, rescue workers managed to bring the fire under control and proceeded with cooling operations.
Several fires have broken out in northern Lebanon since the beginning of summer. While the causes of many remain unknown, the combination of drought and high temperatures creates conditions that facilitate the rapid spread of fire.
