ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iran has asked for international assistance to contain a fire that is burning through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Hyrcanian forests in the north of the country.
"We are following up on the grassland fires in the Elit mountains of the Chalus region," Mohammad Jafar Ghaempanah, deputy to President Masoud Pezeshkian, wrote on X, adding that due to the "failure to contain the fire and to prevent it from spreading to surrounding forests, coordination has been carried out to request urgent assistance from friendly countries."
The fire has been burning for days in northern Mazandaran province.
Turkey is sending two aircraft, a helicopter, and eight personnel expected to arrive on Saturday, the state-run IRNA news agency reported, citing Elias Hazrati, head of the Government Information Council.
Stretching across Gilan, Mazandaran, and Golestan provinces along the Caspian Sea, the Hyrcanian forests were recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage site in 2019. Believed to be 25 to 50 million years old, these forests have rich biodiversity, including over 3,200 vascular plant species, according to UNESCO.
The UN agency says the forests also shelter 180 bird species and 58 types of mammals. Many of the trees are centuries old, some as old as 400 years, with a few possibly reaching 500.
The fires, raging since last week, have damaged about eight hectares of vegetation, according to IRNA. Less than one hectare is still burning. Local forces, volunteers, and residents are battling the flames using helicopters, but hot weather, difficult access, and the buildup of leaves and deadwood have hampered efforts.
"Despite the presence of relevant authorities and volunteer forces, and the use of six helicopters and airplanes, full containment has not yet been achieved," Ghaempanah said on X.
Forest fires are a recurring problem in Iran. In July, three environmental activists were killed and several others injured while trying to put out a wildfire in a popular natural park in western Iran’s Kurdistan province.
In the Kurdish areas of Iran, known as Rojhelat, wild fires have become increasingly frequent over the past few years, sparking concerns from environmentalists amid claims of arson. Many hold the Iranian government responsible for the blazes.
Iranian security forces also routinely arrest environmentalists seeking to control the flames.