ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A massive fire has been raging in forests near Marivan in predominantly Kurdish areas of western Iran (Rojhelat) since Friday, despite continued efforts from environmentalist groups to bring the blaze under control.
The occurrence of forest fires in Rojhelat’s Zagros mountains in summertime has become more regular over the last decade, sparking concerns for the environment and its ecosystems amid claims of arson and blames of government inactivity.
About 200 hectares (2 square-kilometers) of forested land have gone up in flames in the past few days in Asrawa, Rashade, Gumaralang, Sheikha Kwera, and Piranakon in Marivan, Rudaw has learned. More than 50 fires have been reported in Marivan since March.
Dozens of volunteer environmentalists have worked to extinguish the fire. Chya the Green Organization, one of few environmentalist groups in Marivan, blamed strong winds and the lack of standard firefighting equipment as complicating efforts to extinguish the growing blaze.
One local, speaking to Rudaw on the condition of anonymity, said the majority of the incidents are arson, claiming certain people illegally try to take parcels of land in the forests by burning and then claiming the property as their own. While there are others who want to turn the trees into coal to sell.
Large fires also have been reported in other parts of Rojhelat.
Hussein Mirzayi, head of Lorestan province’s water and natural resources directorate, told Rudaw on Sunday that nearly 2,000 hectares (20 square-kilometers) of forest area have been burned across the province in the past two months.
At least 23 people have been arrested for suspicion of arson for the Lorestan fires, Mirzayi added.
Marivan and nearby areas average about 250 fire incidents every year. In 2010, almost 1,000 separate incidents were recorded. In addition to Marivan, Paveh, Ilam, and Kermanshah have also experienced frequent fires over the past five years.
In 2018, two members of an environmentalist group died just outside Marivan as they were trying to control a forest fire with two members of the forestry police. Full statistics on fires and their consequences are not available.
