Major fire in Hermel

A major fire broke out in the Hermel jurds, in the Baalbeck district, where Civil Defense teams were dispatched to bring the flames under control, our Bekaa correspondent, Sarah Abdallah, reported on Saturday.

Lebanese Army helicopters were deployed to support the firefighting operations.

According to a Civil Defense statement dated Aug. 23, its teams carried out 56 firefighting operations across the country over the past 24 hours, including a forest fire, 29 in grass accumulations, six in waste, four in vehicles and three in homes.

Flames continue to consume vast areas in the Hermel hills, fueled by strong winds and dense fog, which increase the risk of fire spread. The fire is currently advancing toward Hermel, while Civil Defense teams and local residents are making significant efforts to contain it, but face major challenges due to the rough terrain and local conditions.

Helicopters from the Lebanese army, deployed to the site, are intensifying their interventions to help extinguish the fire in the area. The Agricultural Research Institute (LARI) explained, referring to the high temperatures currently affecting Lebanon, that the grass is “extremely dry, making it highly flammable,” that “trees are also easily ignitable,” and that the soil has reached its maximum level of dryness. It added that “when temperatures rise, humidity decreases, which makes the fire risk index high,” specifying that the heatwave, considered moderate, “will continue until Monday, August 25, after which temperatures are expected to drop to 32 °C in the Bekaa and 28 °C on the coast.” No rain is forecast for September, although predictions may change.

Numerous fires have ravaged several regions of Lebanon since the start of the summer, particularly in August during a severe heatwave.

Important incendie dans le Hermel