Massive wild fires in Lebanon suspected to be terrorism

Eioun al-Samak, Lebanon – Fires raged on
Wednesday for the second time this month across hectares (acres) of
forest in Lebanon, threatening the natural wealth of a country once
known as the Switzerland of the Middle East.

Interior Minister Hassan Sabaa pointed an accusing finger at unidentified assailants charged of starting the fires.

“The big question is: how did these fires start late at night and in
areas that are not linked to the road network,” Sabaa told Voice of
Lebanon radio.

He disclosed that in the “Eioun al-Samak region of the Minyeh
district residents observed smoke billowing from the nearby mountain,
they innocently headed to the source of smoke to extinguish the blaze,
but they were shot at.”

“This supports suspicion that these fires are intentional,” Sabaa added.

Earlier this month, more than 2,500 hectares (6,200 acres) of
woodland were destroyed in fires that swept through several regions of
Lebanon, leaving one woman dead and dozens injured.

Experts have warned that seasonal forest fires in Lebanon are
further threatening to destroy the country’s natural wealth — among
the richest in the Middle East.

“The consequences of forest fires are disastrous on the natural
environment and ecological systems, not to mention the population, by
worsening poverty and lowering the quality of life,” said a report by
the Association for Forest Development and Conservation (AFDC).

Lebanon is known as a tourist destination for its scenic green
mountains that offer cool summer vacations, mainly for wealthy Gulf
Arabs escaping the heat in their desert countries.

The country’s natural wealth, including its large water resources,
have traditionally been a main source of income for residents of
tourist regions and local farmers.

Zeina Tamim, an official at the agriculture ministry, said that
forest fires were slowly destroying green zones which account for 23
percent of the country’s territory, including 13.5 percent of forests.

“The
fire claimed approximately 0.25 percent of Lebanese territory (earlier
this month). It is estimated that at least 2,500 hectares of forest
were burned, which equal five times the total reforested area during
the past 17 years,” said the AFDC report.

“As a result of these fires, the forest cover has been burnt down to
11 percent. Replanting the 2,500 hectares would cost 10 million
dollars,” said the report based on a study funded by the European Union.

The ADFC report said forest fires in Lebanon are mainly caused by
climatic conditions: prolongued hot summers, lack of water and violent
winds.

“Also, the general public through their lifestyle or livelihood
activities is an important initiator of forest fires,” mainly due to
the clearing of agricultural fields using fire, it said.

Many parts of the torched forests are lost without any possibility
of natural regeneration, as pine forests that are damaged by fire twice
within a period of 10 years can not produce any more cones.

“Lebanon’s green areas are a wealth that is threatened with
extinction if there is no quick salvation plan that includes the
reforestation of the burnt-out areas,” an environment ministry official
warned.

“The erosion of green areas has dangerous consequences: the
destruction of floristic species diversity, soil erosion, the decrease
in underground waters and desertification,” the official who did not
wish to be identified said.

The AFDC report said “Lebanon’s forests have undergone continuous degradation, which has intensified in recent years.”

“Between 1990 and 1995, more than 30 percent of Lebanese forests
were deforested or burned, leading to fragmentation and loss of the
fundamental nature of these forest ecosystems,” it said.

Wild fires raged across tinder-dry forests of north and south
Lebanon Wednesday as choppers from the nearby Island republic of Cyprus
tried to help combat tongues of flame threatening population centers.

Police blocked traffic along the Zghorta-Ehden highway, which
penetrates the region’s forests and olive groves to avoid civilian
casualties.

In south Lebanon tongues of flame shot up in the sky from pine and
oak forests of south Lebanon’s Bisri-Sfarai region, according to police.

Civil Defense teams operating fire engines sprayed olive and orange
groves surrounding the region with water to prevent the spread of fires
as other teams of volunteers tried to help in combating the spreading
inferno.

An official at the Civil Defense directorate reached by telephone
said: “We are carrying out a double mission, on the one hand we combat
the forest fires and, on the other, we try to prevent the blaze from
reaching population centers.”

He attributed the fires to the long summer and dry land.

“Winter is late, we need rain, God is the best firefighter,” said the official who asked not to be identified by name.

In the Muslim villages of north Lebanon the elderly clergymen called for special “rain prayers”

“Only Allah’s Mercy can help put off the fires. God Directs rain,” said Farouq Ashi of the Akkar Atiqa village.

Wild Fires Swept across more than 6.000 acres of forest land earlier this month killing one person and injuring scores.

Sources: Ya Libnan, Naharnet