Why Lebanon’s wildfires risk is becoming more common
Lebanon’s recent forest fires have raised concern about the ability to respond to extreme weather events as a result of climate change.
MESHREF/BEIRUT, Lebanon — At the entrance to the village of Meshref in Mount Lebanon, there is a small sign that reads “Save Trees: They Will Save You.” The metal sign, with its base burnt and surrounded by ash and smouldering bushes, is emblematic of one of the worst wildfires Lebanon has ever experienced.
“It was the worst fire season I have ever faced,” George Abou Moussa, director of Forest Fire Operations for Lebanon’s Civil Defense, told Al-Monitor, “We do our best, we do everything we can, but in the end, it took everything.”
Wildfires began to erupt around Lebanon, primarily in the Mount Lebanon regions of Shouf, Aley and Mten in the early hours of Oct. 14. Within 24 hours over 104 separate sites were ablaze with dozens injured and one person was reported dead.
While Abou Moussa said it was too soon to tell the full ramifications of the fires, George Mitri, director of the Land and Natural Resources Program at University of Balamand, told Al-Monitor that the fire in Meshref — the worst affected area — burnt 2,094 hectares (5,174 acres) of land alone, more than the entire fire season before Oct. 15 combined.
