Lebanon fires force residents to flee homes; heatwave, strong winds exacerbate blaze
Wildfires spread through parts of Lebanon after forcing some residents to flee their homes in the middle of the night, while others were stuck inside as the flames reached villages south of Beirut.
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Wildfires spread through parts of Lebanon on Tuesday after forcing some residents to flee their homes in the middle of the night, while others were stuck inside as the flames reached villages south of Beirut, authorities said. AP
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A heatwave in the region coupled with strong winds intensified the fires that began a day earlier in mostly pine forests around the country and three provinces in neighbouring Syria. There were no reports of fatalities from the fires — among the worst to hit Lebanon in years. AP
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Fire crews were overwhelmed by the flames in the Mount Lebanon region early Tuesday, forcing the Interior Ministry to send riot police with engines equipped with water cannons to help. Two small aircraft were sent from the nearby Mediterranean island of Cyprus to help put out the flames. AP
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In Damour, a coastal village south of Beirut, more than a dozen charred cars were on the side of a road. Most of the homes nearby escaped the damage. AP
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The state has been widely criticized by residents because Lebanon bought three aircraft several years ago to be used in extinguishing fires but they have been parked at Beirut’s airport with no money to maintain them. AP
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Interior Minister Raya El Hassan said Greece would send two aircraft in response to a request from Lebanon, adding that Jordan has also expressed readiness to send assistance to Beirut. AP
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Heavy rain fell on parts of the country in the evening after Cyprus dispatched help and as Greece and Jordan vowed to follow suit. AP
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In neighbouring Syria, fires spread in the coastal provinces of Latakia and Tartus, as well as the central province of Homs, but authorities there brought all the fires under control. AP
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In Tartus, the fires — mostly stamped out — coincided with the olive harvest, the governor told state news agency SANA. In Homs, trees were burnt and electricity networks disrupted in mountainous areas, the agency reported. AP
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