Deadly Fires Break Out Across Lebanon amid Funding Shortages

By Staff, Agencies

Deadly wildfires broke out across Lebanon Sunday killing at least one person, as authorities warned that a freak heatwave and strong winds have created “extreme” risks of fires in many areas across the country.

The man was reportedly killed when wildfires reached the town of al-Mujaydil, Jezzine, and surrounded homes in the al-Salib neighborhood, according to the state-run National News Agency.

In Tyre, south Lebanon, a large fire also broke out in the Tyre Coast Nature Reserve located at the southern sea entrance to the city, destroying vast areas of greenery. The area is an important nesting site for endangered sea turtles, alongside a number of other animals.

Another large fire also broke out Sunday in an industrial area adjacent to the southern city of Sidon, threatening dozens of local businesses as Civil Defense teams struggled to tackle the blaze.

The Lebanese Army was reportedly forced to intervene in extinguishing the fire, as well temporarily closing down the main seaside road that runs through the city.

In the southern village of Aita Shaab, large fires also broke out in the outlying areas of the town, forcing residents to fight the flames themselves in the absence of any assistance from authorities.

This comes just a day after the Director-General of Civil Defense Raymond Khattar announced that they would run out of fuel by the end of the month, meaning that their fire trucks may soon be inoperable.

Caretaker Prime Minister Hassan Diab previously signed a decree last week in order that the Civil Defense would be able to purchase LL50 million worth of diesel and LL100 million for gasoline.

However, Khattar announced Sunday that they had already spent these emergency funds, provided by the Higher Relief Council.

Forest fires have been raging for weeks now across Lebanon, forcing the Civil Defense to mobilize 80 percent of their personnel despite such ongoing funding shortages.

Dozens of large wildfires struck the country in mid-October last year, amid unusually high temperatures and strong winds.