Wildfires Tear Through Five Arab Nations

(MENAFN) Wildfires are tearing through forests and farmlands in Iraq, Algeria, Lebanon, Syria, and Morocco, fueled by a blistering regional heat wave and strong winds, according to multiple officials and media outlets.

Iraq
A sweeping blaze erupted Sunday in the mountainous forests of Halabja province, in Iraq’s northern Kurdish region, devastating an estimated 5,000 dunams (1,235 acres) of farmland and forest.

Local reports said the fire scorched pastures in six villages, killed dozens of animals and birds, and forced beekeepers and livestock owners to flee. The blaze began near three villages before engulfing surrounding areas, as civil defense teams battled for days to gain control.

Brig. Gen. Abedin Abdulrahman, head of Halabja Civil Defense, confirmed the extent of the damage, stating the fires “burned large forest areas, as strong winds hindered firefighting efforts despite the arrival of reinforcements.”

He added, “After major efforts, the fire has been brought under control.” “We are monitoring the area closely to prevent similar incidents from recurring.”

The fire also claimed two lives, and officials say the region remains at high risk.

At a Wednesday press conference, Halabja Governor Nukhsha Nasih acknowledged that around 5,000 dunams of land were damaged. She attributed the delay in firefighting efforts to “a lack of proper firefighting equipment, the region’s geography and harsh climate.”

Algeria
In Algeria, 18 wildfires broke out across several provinces on Wednesday, including seven in the eastern region of Bejaia, according to a newspaper.

The Civil Protection Department announced Tuesday that ground and aerial units were deployed to combat the flames in areas such as Tawrirt Aghil in Bejaia’s Adkar district.

The Defense Ministry also confirmed that the military provided aircraft to assist with containment efforts.

While the recent fires are less destructive than the catastrophic blazes of 2021–2023, Algerian authorities have mobilized 15 firefighting planes and imposed bans on forest camping and barbecues through October to mitigate risk.

Lebanon & Syria
Wildfire activity has surged in Lebanon, where the Civil Defense responded to 102 incidents over the past 24 hours, including 74 wildfires, media reported Wednesday. The fires swept through forests, fields, homes, and garbage dumps.

In Syria, the Civil Defense said Tuesday that it had extinguished a forest fire near the town of Salma in northern Latakia province. Crews fought difficult terrain and strong winds to contain the blaze, and are continuing to monitor the area for flare-ups.

Local media reported that 10 wildfires erupted in four Syrian provinces last week amid extreme heat and drought.

Earlier this summer, Latakia experienced a catastrophic 12-day wildfire that destroyed over 16,000 hectares of forest and farmland, damaging 45 villages and affecting approximately 1,200 families.

Morocco
In northern Morocco, flames ignited Monday in Taounate province amid soaring temperatures nearing 46°C (114°F).

A spokesperson for the National Agency for Water and Forests, speaking anonymously, confirmed the fire began in Douar al-Ghararsa. 2M, a Moroccan television network, reported that the blaze also reached farmland in Douar Beni Qara. No casualties have been reported.

Authorities and volunteers worked in tandem to suppress the flames.

The agency had issued a wildfire warning just days earlier for several northern and eastern regions. According to government data, Morocco has recorded 382 wildfires in 2024, burning approximately 874 hectares of forest—an 82% reduction compared to last year.

Regional Pattern
Wildfires are a recurring threat during the dry summer season across the Arab world. This year’s outbreaks—intensified by heatwaves, dry vegetation, and shifting wind patterns—highlight the growing strain on emergency services across the region.

MENAFN21082025000045017169ID1109956911