GFMC: Fires in Syria
Forest Fire Emergency in Syria
27 October 2004
Severewildfire started on 26 October 2004around 13:00pm in the N.W. part of Lattakia Governorate, Syria. Today, 27October 2004, they continue to destroy natural and afforested areas, Olive,Citrus and other crops over an area roughly estimated at 15-20 km long. The firealso have affected forest villages and other communities spreading within andaround the area. While no numbers are available yet, one death and a number ofhuman injuries have been reported, a number of local community homes have alsobeen affected and others have been evacuated. Inspite of the government efforts and attempts to suppress the fire; thetopography, difficult terrain and winds blowing “which aggravated thesituation” made it difficult to put the fires off. Sinceit is expected that such situation will continue and may even get worth with thepresent weather situation and the condition of the fire crews who continuedworking since the fire started, it is clear that immediate assistance is to bemobilized. It is also important to mobilize assistance to the affectedcommunities.
The GFMC is in contact with the FAO, OCHA and neighbour countries toactivate assistance.
Visual impressions of the currently ongoing fires in Syria, transmitted by FAO
