A large fire broke out today, Friday, in the forested areas outside the town of Bzal-Akkar, spreading towards the nearby forests in the towns of Habeshit and Qabait. Firefighting teams from the Civil Defense, including those from the centers in Sadqa, Barqa'il and Bbenein-Al-Abde, are working to extinguish the flames with the help of the Union of Municipalities of Jurd Al-Qaitaa and surrounding municipalities that are supplying fire trucks with water using agricultural tankers.
Reports indicate that the wind speeds in the area (over 50 kilometers per hour) are the biggest obstacle facing the firefighters. An evacuation of homes began after the flames surrounded them in the outskirts of Qabait. Residents have called on the army to send a military helicopter to assist in controlling the fire, especially in areas inaccessible to firefighting vehicles. Preparations have started to establish a site for creating an artificial water reservoir to provide water for the military helicopter in its efforts to extinguish the fire. The Rapid Intervention Team for firefighting from the Akkar Path Association also indicated that they have headed to participate in extinguishing the flames.
