Fire in Tannourine on Aug. 24, 2026. (Credit: Photo relayed by Michel Hallak/ L'OLJ)
BEIRUT — A large fire broke out on the outskirts of a forest called "Arz al-Bilad" in the Tannourine Cedars Forest on Monday, our north Lebanon correspondent reported. The forest is located between Tannourine, Hadath al-Jebbeh, and Kfour al-Arabi in the Batroun district.
The fire has not yet reached the forest itself and remains on its outskirts, but is spreading quickly through a steep valley as firefighting efforts continue. A military helicopter, which took off from the Qleiaat Airport in Akkar, currently undergoing renovations, is supporting the operations on the ground.
Meanwhile, the Civil Defense said that its "teams are battling a fire that broke out in the Tannourine Cedars Reserve, with teams from around 10 centers taking part."
In a separate statement, the Civil Defense said one of its members sustained minor injuries when an old landmine exploded in the reserve. The member was taken to a hospital for treatment. According to the statement, a rock fell onto the mine, triggering the explosion.
“Firefighters are continuing efforts to extinguish the blaze, contain the flames and prevent them from spreading, while field operations remain ongoing at the site,” the Civil Defense added. There was no immediate indication of what caused the fire.
The ancient forests of the Tannourine Cedars Reserve hold immense ecological and national value, as cedar trees — Lebanon’s national emblem — are becoming increasingly rare. Numerous wildfires have broken out across Lebanon this month, particularly in the North, amid high temperatures and strong winds.
Additional reporting by our correspondent in north Lebanon, Michel Hallak.
