European and Arab countries are still suffering from unprecedented high temperatures, while Lebanon is affected by hot air masses centered over the Arabian Peninsula, resulting in a noticeable rise in temperatures, especially in inland areas. The peak is expected today, Friday, where humidity levels will rise in coastal areas, increasing the feeling of heat. This situation will continue until Tuesday, when its effects will diminish somewhat. Minister of the Environment in the caretaker government, Nasser Yasin, confirmed the ministry's readiness to face the heatwave affecting Lebanon as part of a strategic plan aimed at preventing and limiting fires in cooperation with first responder teams made up of municipalities, civil society associations, and local residents, with support from the civil defense and the Lebanese army.
Concerned authorities have warned of the risk of fires breaking out in forested areas and the danger of exposure to direct sunlight during peak hours, advising people to increase their fluid intake. For its part, the General Directorate of Civil Defense announced in a statement that based on the daily forest fire report released by the directorate, which showed a significant increase in the risk of fire outbreaks in wooded areas, particularly on Friday and Saturday, the directorate has raised its readiness in all regional and operational centers.
The fire hazard bulletin indicates the level of risk for fires in various areas. The public is reminded to call 125 to report any smoke from fires or any emergencies, and the General Directorate of Civil Defense has urged compliance with its guidelines on raising awareness of the risks of forest fires and not using fireworks and firecrackers.
On another note, the southern governorate narrowly escaped a fire that broke out in plastic waste near a generator in the governorate's yard, facing the Sidon Financial Directorate. The flames nearly touched the generator's outer cover, and smoke filled the area. Civil defense and Sidon municipal firefighters rushed to the scene and managed to extinguish the fire before it reached the inside of the generator. Additionally, a large fire broke out in the forests of the Bqosta area in the Sharhabil region, consuming a vast area of woodland. Sidon municipal firefighting teams and civil defense worked to extinguish the fire and control it before it spread to nearby residential areas.
