2025-07-13T12:06:38+00:00
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Shafaq News – Damascus
Wildfires raging across large parts of Syria have already destroyed
thousands of hectares of vegetation, forced the evacuation of residents, and
raised growing concern among environmental experts over the lasting ecological
and public health consequences.
The scale of the disaster has triggered a coordinated regional
response, as containment efforts continue across the affected areas.
Firefighting operations are underway with the involvement of more than 150
teams from Syria’s Civil Defense, supported by around 300 firefighting
vehicles, logistical support units, and heavy machinery used to open access
routes and divide forest sectors.
Ground teams from Turkiye, Jordan, and Iraq have also joined the
response, while aerial support includes 16 firefighting aircraft from Syria,
Turkiye, Jordan, and Lebanon operating in joint coordination. Iraq’s Civil
Defense confirmed the deployment of 20 firefighting units to assist in Latakia,
one of the most heavily affected regions.
As flames continue to spread—particularly in forested areas of the
Latakia countryside since July 3—Syrian authorities have formally requested
assistance from the European Union to support suppression efforts.
Multi-dimensional Losses
The destruction caused by the fires is not limited to visible
forest loss. Environmental researcher and climate specialist Anas Rahmoun
outlined a multi-layered impact, categorizing the damage as immediate,
medium-term, and long-term. He cautioned that some endangered plant species may
have already vanished, though comprehensive assessment will only be possible
once the fires are fully contained.
In the immediate term, the fires have released a mix of toxic
gases—including carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides—that are
polluting the air across large swathes of northern Syria. Depending on wind
direction, the smoke has reached population centers such as Aleppo, Hama, and
Idlib, raising the risk of respiratory complications.
“The polluted air poses a direct threat to public health,
particularly for individuals suffering from asthma or other respiratory
illnesses,” Rahmoun warned.
As firefighting teams work to limit the spread, experts are also
tracking the fires’ contribution to worsening climate volatility. Rahmoun noted
that some regions have already recorded a measurable rise in temperatures—by as
little as half a degree Celsius—which is enough to reduce humidity and heighten
the frequency and severity of heatwaves.
“These fires are accelerating the pace of climate change in Syria,”
he explained. “The country, like much of the world, is already facing pressure
from global climate shifts. But the fires add a powerful local factor that
disrupts ecological balance further.”Vegetation loss has exposed soil to erosion from winter rain and
strong winds, removing a critical layer that supports agricultural stability.
Rahmoun pointed to severe disruption of microorganisms in the top 10 to 20
centimeters of soil—organisms that are essential for decomposing organic matter
and supplying nutrients to plants.
“Many species, including birds, foxes, and rabbits, have fled their
habitats, and there are confirmed cases of animal deaths,” he noted. “This
offers a stark indication of the extent of the natural disaster.”
Additionally, the fires have not only devastated ecosystems but
also impacted communities and livelihoods. Agricultural zones, including
orchards with economically important fruit trees, have suffered losses. Many
families residing near forests—especially in areas such as Qustal Maaf and
Kassab—have been forced to evacuate due to the encroaching flames.
Preliminary assessments further estimate that between 14,000 and
16,000 square meters of forest have burned. Reduced moisture levels are
expected to carry the environmental impact even further, with surrounding areas
within a 60 to 70-meter radius also affected.
Recovery Road
While long-term recovery and reforestation efforts are already
being considered, Rahmoun emphasized that containment remains the immediate
priority. No environmental rehabilitation programs can be launched until the
fires are fully extinguished.
Nevertheless, a number of non-governmental organizations have begun
fundraising campaigns aimed at restoring damaged forest areas. Rahmoun noted
that any serious reforestation initiative would take at least two years to
yield measurable progress.
“The greatest impact of these fires is on people,” he said. “Every
disruption—from the air we breathe to the soil we depend on—returns swiftly and
directly to affect public health and economic stability.”
