The fire that broke out on a wooded hill in North Lebanon, between the towns of Qobeiyat and Hrar, on Oct. 25, 2024. (Credit: Michel Hallak)
A large fire that broke out midday Friday on a wooded hillside in northern Lebanon, between the localities of Qobeit and Hrar near the border of the North Lebanon and Akkar governorates, continued to burn Saturday morning, according to our correspondent Michel Hallak. “The fire has spread, and smoke has blanketed nearby villages,” including Jurd el-Qaytaa. “It’s catastrophic,” reported rescue teams who have been working through the night to contain the flames.
The fire now threatens nearby homes and gas stations, Hallak adds. The Lebanese army is expected to be redeployed to assist the civil defense teams, members of the Akkar Trail association, and the Union of Municipalities of Akkar’s Jurd region, who are all working to contain the blaze. Neighboring municipalities have also provided support.
On Friday, the fire spread quickly due to strong winds, moving dangerously close to homes in Qobeit and forcing residents to temporarily evacuate.
Firefighters have been using small fire vehicles and manual extinguishers in the rugged terrain, awaiting an army helicopter that began operations shortly before 5 p.m., Hallak reports.
Lebanese army helicopters have arrived on site and begun assisting in extinguishing the flames, as rescuers are "struggling to contain the fire," which has spread extensively.
Caretaker Environment Minister Nasser Yassine is monitoring the situation, which reportedly started suddenly.
As the war between Hezbollah and Israel rages on in southern Lebanon, with bombardments concentrated in the Bekaa and Beirut's southern suburbs, several fires have broken out in recent days in areas hitherto spared by Israeli bombardments, where populations, mostly Shiite, have taken refuge from the fighting.
