Massive wildfires sweep Latakia countryside, forcing authorities to evacuate villages

LATAKIA, Syria — In recent years, Syria has experienced extreme heatwaves, declining rainfall, and devastating forest fires — the latest of which erupted on Friday in the Latakia countryside, specifically in the areas of Al-Basit, Qastal Maaf, and Mount Turkmen in the northwest of the country. Authorities have described these blazes as among the most difficult wildfires the country has faced in recent times.

According to Abdel Kafi Kayyal, Director of the Syrian Civil Defense Directorate in Latakia Governorate, firefighting teams are struggling to contain the flames due to high winds, severe drought, rugged terrain, the presence of landmines and unexploded ordnance, and the inaccessibility of fire hotspots, along with a lack of nearby fire lines.

Due to the rapid spread of the fires, Kayyal told the Syrian state news agency SANA that the flames in Qastal Maaf had reached populated villages, prompting emergency teams and civil defense forces to evacuate residents for their safety.

The Syrian Civil Defense has warned that smoke from the fires may reach the northern sections of the coastal mountains, as well as the city of Hemto (Hama), its surrounding countryside, and southern Idlib. The agency also reported damage to orchards and fruit fields in several areas of Latakia countryside. It urged citizens to report individuals suspected of intentionally starting fires in the forested regions.

As part of the emergency response, Syrian Minister of Emergency and Disaster Management Raed Al-Saleh announced a field meeting with Turkish officials to coordinate joint intervention and response efforts. Al-Saleh confirmed the agreement to deploy two firefighting helicopters and the entry of 11 firefighting units, including eight fire trucks and three water supply trailers.