Syrian Arab News Agency S A N A
Lattakia, SANA- ٍٍSeveral fires in forests and agricultural lands in Lattakia countryside erupted on Thursday evening where the firefighting teams, forestry engines and civil defense forces were working in cooperation with the help of helicopters affiliated to Syrian Arab army to control and put them out .
The Commander of Lattakia fire brigade, Mohanad Jaffar said in statement to SANA that the personnel of firefighting dealt with several fires in the forests of villages and towns of Meset and Derotan where the fires were extending toward Benjaro in addition to fires in forests of Ayn Jandal near Dabash , Kilmakho ,Banjaro ,Qamin and Dbeka.
In his part, Director of Forest Protection Center, Bassim Doba said that the firefighting teams work under harsh conditions in terms of severity of the dry eastern winds and rugged landforms that impedes access to some burning sites.
He noted that the firefighting men have exerted massive efforts in preventing fires from reaching to civilians’ houses particularly in Kalmakho and Panjaro where the circle of fire are extending due to winds
The fires have devoured hundreds of dunums of citrus trees and olives in addition to wide areas of the natural forests.
Hybah /Mazen