ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A massive fire spread across Sulaimani city’s famed Mount Goizha on Monday morning, burning around 200 dunams of land according to early estimates. It was controlled several hours later.
Footage submitted to Rudaw by eyewitnesses appears to show that the fire, which erupted around 3 am, was driven by strong winds.
Scores of civil defense members worked on extinguishing the fire. Hundreds of trees were reportedly burned in the blaze.
It was not immediately clear what caused the fire and whether or not it was arson, according to Sulaimani mayor Awat Mohammed.
“Companies, forest rangers, and other parties have been attempting to preserve this forest for years, but then suddenly a fire erupts and it burns. We do not know why,” said a heartbroken Mohammed, adding that they have implemented several fire mitigating measures over the years.
In the hot and dry summer, fires are easily sparked and can spread quickly in the Kurdistan Region.
Mount Goizha overlooks the city of Sulaimani and is a popular spot for picnics and sightseeing.
A similar fire burned through the forests of Goizha in September 2020, believed to have been sparked by a picnicker’s shisha pipe. Two men confessed to starting the fire a month following the incident.
Peshawa Bakhtiyar in Sulaimani contributed to this report
