Civil Defense Teams and Locals Stop the Spread of Forest Fires in Latakia and Hama Amid Difficult Conditions

Syrian civil defense teams, supported by locals, succeeded in stopping the spread of forest fires in the countryside of Latakia and Hama provinces, despite the challenges posed by strong winds and the rugged nature of the areas, which hindered extinguishing operations.

Abdul Kafi Kayal, the director of the civil defense department in Latakia, stated in a statement to the "SANA" agency that the teams managed to prevent the advance of the flames in various fronts, noting that efforts are still ongoing to contain some burning spots that may reignite due to weather factors.

Kayal pointed out that new fires broke out in the forests of Marmarita in Homs countryside, which were immediately dealt with by additional firefighting teams from the city of Homs. Some spots are still burning in Wadi al-Nabain, where teams had to extend fire hoses over 1200 meters to reach the fire spots deep in the valley.

He added that the flames were contained in the areas of Bab Janna and Deir Mama in Slunfeh, while the fires in Broma in the Kurd Mountain were extinguished, and teams continue cooling and monitoring operations in those areas.

In the western Hama countryside, fire spots are still burning in the Shat'ha axis, especially on the peaks of high mountains, while the spread of the fire in Naour Jourin has been stopped. In the town of Al-Mazhil, the flames extended towards Al-Qashati, while teams and locals managed to control the fire that broke out on the road to Beit Yashout.

The fires caused damage to civilian homes in the Shat'ha areas and the villages of Anab, Abu Klifoun, and Mardash, where teams faced significant difficulties due to the intensity of the winds and high temperatures, in addition to the nature of the terrain that prevented firefighting vehicles from reaching the fire spots. Mines and remnants of war scattered in the affected areas also posed an additional danger to the safety of the working teams.

More than 70 teams are participating in the extinguishing operations, including firefighting teams and forestry and engineering teams equipped with heavy machinery to open roads. The teams have also been reinforced with supplies from the provinces of Homs, Aleppo, Idlib, Damascus, Rural Damascus, and Daraa to enhance fire control efforts.

Kayal confirmed that the teams continue monitoring and cooling operations to prevent any resurgence of the fires, especially amid the ongoing unfavorable weather conditions.