Members of Civil Defense work to fight a fire in Akkar on Thursday. (Credit: NNA)
BEIRUT — For the fourth consecutive day, wildfires raged in northern Lebanon’s Wadi Jahannam region on Thursday, the state-run National News Agency reported.
Here’s what we know:
• Wadi Jahannam is located along the border between Dinnieh and Akkar, where forest fires have been erupting for several days now amid a heat wave and strong winds.
• The flames have ravaged more than 140 hectares of forest in the area. The fires, which began at an altitude of 700 meters, have reached areas higher than 1,700 meters above sea level and the Ras Qanzouh area, which sits on the outskirts of a cedar forest.
• Two army helicopters have been deployed to help put out the fires, along with Civil Defense teams. Volunteers from neighboring villages are also attempting to assist the effort.
• Last week, several wildfires engulfed hundreds of hectares of forests in Akkar.