Second fire in two days in Sour Nature Reserve

For the second consecutive day, a fire broke out in the Sour Nature Reserve, engulfing large areas of vegetation less than 24 hours after a similar fire on Monday at the same location.

Firefighting teams, the Lebanese Civil Defense, rescuers from al-Rissala, the Islamic Health Authority, and the municipality of Sour were deployed at the site of the fire, according to the official state-run National News Agency (NNA). They worked to encircle and extinguish the flames despite strong winds.

"The causes of the fire are still unknown," said Ali Badreddine, director of the reserve, adding that an investigation has been opened to determine the circumstances of the incident. He expressed his "deep gratitude to all the teams that contributed to extinguishing the fire," appreciating "the coordinated efforts to protect the natural environment in the region."

The Sour Beach Reserve is one of Lebanon's most important coastal ecological sites, boasting rich biodiversity and sensitive natural habitats, making its protection an environmental and national priority.

Multiple fires have erupted since the beginning of May in several Lebanese regions, exacerbated by a heat wave, especially in South Lebanon, where the regions of Majdelzoun, Azzieh, Tayr Harfa, and the Alma al-Shaab area (Sour district) were engulfed in flames about ten days ago, on May 17.