"Iran has urgently requested international assistance to combat a devastating wildfire that has been raging for nearly three weeks in the ancient Hyrcanian Forests, which have been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2019. The blaze, which began near the village of Elit in Mazandaran Province on October 31, has defied containment efforts and continues to threaten one of the world's oldest and most biodiverse ecosystems."
"Mohammad Jafar Qaempanah, a deputy to Iranian President Masud Pezeshkian, announced on X on November 21 that arrangements had been made to "quickly request assistance from friendly countries." While Qaempanah did not specify which nations, Shina Ansari, head of Iran's Environment Department, later confirmed that Turkey would dispatch two specialized water bombers, a helicopter, and a team of eight people to help extinguish the fires. Ansari added that Iran may also seek help from Russia "if necessary.""
A wildfire has burned in the Hyrcanian Forests for nearly three weeks, beginning near the village of Elit in Mazandaran Province on October 31. Authorities say the fire was brought under control before a "second phase" reignited it, while locals insist it never ceased. Rugged terrain, unusually warm weather, and accumulated dry leaves and fallen trees have aided its persistence and spread. Iran has urgently requested international help; Turkey will send two specialized water bombers, a helicopter, and an eight-person team, and Iran may seek assistance from Russia. Officials attribute the blaze primarily to human negligence. The Hyrcanian Forests are a UNESCO World Heritage Site covering about 660,000 hectares in Mazandaran Province.
Read at RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty
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