The Public Information and Relations Department of the General Directorate of Civil Defense confirmed in a statement that “under the close follow-up of the Minister of Interior and Municipalities and the supervision of the acting Director General of Civil Defense, after strenuous efforts that lasted from yesterday morning until 3:00 AM today, Civil Defense teams managed, in cooperation with local bodies, to bring under control the fire that broke out in the Hermel forests.”
The statement noted that “teams faced major challenges due to the rugged terrain, the remoteness of the affected areas and the lack of roads, which required laying long hose lines to reach the fire site. Operations were further complicated by the lack of telecommunications coverage in the area.”
It added, “A large number of centers participated in the firefighting efforts, supported by vehicles and personnel from Hermel, Baalbeck, Jeb Jennine and the Beqaa, with the assistance of helicopters belonging to the Lebanese Army Air Force. This enabled the containment of the fire and prevented its spread.”
Field teams remain deployed around the fire site to monitor potential hotspots and ensure no re-ignition occurs.
The statement continued, “In the Shouf district, Civil Defense members worked from 11:10 AM yesterday until around 2:00 PM to extinguish a fire that broke out in dry grass and various forest trees in the town of Majd al-Maouch. Monitoring and cooling operations continued until 10:00 PM to prevent the flames from re-erupting.”
In the Akkar Governorate, Civil Defense members in the town of Beit Haddara – Arqa rescued two Syrian workers after the collapse of an under-construction water tank on them, using hydraulic equipment. They were transported to the hospital for treatment.
Meanwhile, at 9:00 PM, members of the Civil Defense Maritime Rescue Unit recovered the body of a citizen from an irrigation basin in Ainata – Arz. The Civil Defense ambulance team from the Ainata center transferred the body to al-Mahabba Hospital in Deir al-Ahmar, based on the instructions of the competent public prosecutor.
The General Directorate of Civil Defense renewed its call on citizens to adhere to public safety guidelines and to immediately report any emergency by calling 125 or via WhatsApp at 70-192693.
Comments