Syria: Wildfires ravage Latakia province for fourth consecutive day
Aerial footage of seen by Middle East Eye showed vast swathes of forest and agricultural land engulfed in flames. Meanwhile, videos uploaded on social media captured huge plumes of smoke billowing into the sky as Syrians rushed to get to safety.
Syrian authorities said at least 10,000 hectares of forest and farmland had been destroyed, with hundreds of families forced to flee their homes.
"Hundreds of thousands of forest trees over an estimated area of around 10,000 hectares (25,000 acres) in 28 locations have turned to ash," Raed al-Saleh, Syria's Minister of Emergency and Disaster Management, said in a statement.
Speaking at a press conference later on Sunday, he referred to the situation as "a real environmental disaster."
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Emergency workers reported that they were struggling to contain the fires, citing difficult terrain and the risk of unexploded ordnances - a lethal legacy of Syria's recently ended civil war - as major obstacles.
Massive wildfires have ravaged Syria's coastal #Latakia province since early July. As part of the ongoing response by firefighting teams from the Ministry of Emergency and Disaster Management, the ministry has deployed more than 160 fire engines and 12 heavy machinery units from… pic.twitter.com/QgxPYBBdx2 — The White Helmets (@SyriaCivilDef) July 6, 2025
The relentless fires, which have been centred around the mountainous district of Qastal Maaf, have been fuelled by soaring temperatures and fierce winds.
In June, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation told AFP that Syria had "not seen such bad climate conditions in 60 years."
In a statement posted on X, Najat Rochdi, the United Nations deputy envoy to Syria, pleaded with the international community for help, saying Damascus "needs more international assistance" to face the fires.
Meanwhile, Jordan's public security directorate said it had dispatched "specialised firefighting teams from the civil defence... [that] have been provided with all the modern equipment and machinery necessary to carry out their duties to the fullest extent."
The Syrian Civil Defence, also known as the White Helmets, warned that "smoke emissions are reaching the northern part of the coastal mountains, the city of Hama and its countryside, and areas south of Idlib."
Wildfires are a common summer threat across the eastern Mediterranean, but experts warn they are becoming more intense and frequent due to climate change.
Neighbouring Turkey has been battling wildfires since 26 June, which authorities said were caused by faulty power lines.
At least three people are known to have died in Turkey, whilst tens of thousands have been evacuated.
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Middle East Eye
2 days ago
- Middle East Eye
Syria: Wildfires ravage Latakia province for fourth consecutive day
Wildfires continued to leave a trail of destruction in Syria's Latakia province on Sunday, as firefighters from neighbouring Jordan arrived to help battle a fourth day of devastating fires in the war-ravaged country. Aerial footage of seen by Middle East Eye showed vast swathes of forest and agricultural land engulfed in flames. Meanwhile, videos uploaded on social media captured huge plumes of smoke billowing into the sky as Syrians rushed to get to safety. Syrian authorities said at least 10,000 hectares of forest and farmland had been destroyed, with hundreds of families forced to flee their homes. "Hundreds of thousands of forest trees over an estimated area of around 10,000 hectares (25,000 acres) in 28 locations have turned to ash," Raed al-Saleh, Syria's Minister of Emergency and Disaster Management, said in a statement. Speaking at a press conference later on Sunday, he referred to the situation as "a real environmental disaster." New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters Emergency workers reported that they were struggling to contain the fires, citing difficult terrain and the risk of unexploded ordnances - a lethal legacy of Syria's recently ended civil war - as major obstacles. Massive wildfires have ravaged Syria's coastal #Latakia province since early July. As part of the ongoing response by firefighting teams from the Ministry of Emergency and Disaster Management, the ministry has deployed more than 160 fire engines and 12 heavy machinery units from… — The White Helmets (@SyriaCivilDef) July 6, 2025 The relentless fires, which have been centred around the mountainous district of Qastal Maaf, have been fuelled by soaring temperatures and fierce winds. In June, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation told AFP that Syria had "not seen such bad climate conditions in 60 years." In a statement posted on X, Najat Rochdi, the United Nations deputy envoy to Syria, pleaded with the international community for help, saying Damascus "needs more international assistance" to face the fires. Meanwhile, Jordan's public security directorate said it had dispatched "specialised firefighting teams from the civil defence... [that] have been provided with all the modern equipment and machinery necessary to carry out their duties to the fullest extent." The Syrian Civil Defence, also known as the White Helmets, warned that "smoke emissions are reaching the northern part of the coastal mountains, the city of Hama and its countryside, and areas south of Idlib." Wildfires are a common summer threat across the eastern Mediterranean, but experts warn they are becoming more intense and frequent due to climate change. Neighbouring Turkey has been battling wildfires since 26 June, which authorities said were caused by faulty power lines. At least three people are known to have died in Turkey, whilst tens of thousands have been evacuated.
Gulf Today
2 days ago
- Gulf Today
Syria battles forest fires for 3rd day, Turkey sends assistance
Syrian emergency workers were battling forest fires raging in the coastal province of Latakia on Saturday for a third day in tough conditions as neighbouring Turkey sent assistance. Fires have spreading across large parts of Syria, particularly on the coast, for several days, with firefighters struggling to control them due to strong winds and a drought. An AFP correspondent saw strong winds fanning the flames in forest areas and farmland in Qastal Maaf, around a dozen kilometres (eight miles) from the Turkish border, as residents continued to flee with what they could carry. Some residential areas in the region were evacuated a day earlier. Syria's ministry for emergencies and disaster management said teams from Turkey began helping on Saturday morning 'as part of regional coordination to face the fires', with the assistance including two aircraft and eight fire trucks. Emergency responders with the Syrian Civil Defence work to extinguish a wildfire in the town of Rabia, in the Latakia countryside, Syria, on Saturday. AP Turkey, a key supporter of Syria's new authorities, has been battling its own fires in recent days, including near the Syrian border. The AFP correspondent saw helicopters bearing the Turkish flag flying over Qastal Maaf assisting firefighters on the ground. Syria's civil defence said a volunteer firefighter suffered from smoke inhalation and a service vehicle caught fire. More than 60 Syrian civil defence and other teams were fighting fires across several areas of Latakia province, the ministry said. It cited 'very difficult conditions, with the explosion of war remnants and mines', strong winds and high temperatures, adding that mountainous terrain was hampering efforts to reach some blazes. Smoke rises into the sky during a wildfire in the town of Rabia, Syria. AP Abdulkafi Kayyal, director of the Directorate of Disasters and Emergencies in Latakia province, told the state SANA news agency that fires in the Qastal Maaf area had moved close to several villages, prompting the evacuations. Syria's civil defence warned residents of 'the spread of rising smoke emissions to the northern section of the coastal mountains, the city of Hama, its countryside, and southern Idlib areas.' Agence France-Presse
Sharjah 24
2 days ago
- Sharjah 24
Wildfires spread across Europe
Turkey's ongoing battle In Turkey, firefighters have been battling over 600 fires in drought-affected areas over the past week. Tragically, a forestry worker injured while fighting flames in Izmir province succumbed to his injuries. The fire, located about 100 kilometers east of Izmir, has already claimed the lives of an 81-year-old bedridden man and a 39-year-old forestry worker. Although the blaze was brought under control on Friday, firefighters continued to combat a fire in Dortyol, near the Syrian border, exacerbated by strong winds. France faces new fires In France, the severe heatwave that began on June 19 officially ended on Friday, lasting 16 days—matching the length of the deadly 2003 heatwave. However, on the same day, major fires ignited in southern regions, prompting authorities to shut down sections of the A9 motorway during the busy summer holiday weekend. Motorists faced traffic jams extending up to 10 kilometers, with water distributed to those stranded in the extreme heat. Evacuations and public fear In Mireval, near Montpellier, a fire fueled by swirling winds led to the evacuation of about 10 residents. Local resident Lorette Gargaud described the terrifying conditions, with thick smoke and falling ashes making the air nearly unbreathable. Greece's arrest and high alert In Greece, a 52-year-old man was arrested on the island of Evia, accused of starting a fire while clearing brush. Greek firefighters remain on high alert due to high temperatures and strong winds, as the region continues to face significant fire risks.
