A fire that started in an harvesting field in northern district of Shabran in Azerbaijan on August 15 reportedly spread over the forests in Shabran as well as neighboring district of Guba.
On August 18, the Ministry of Emergency Situations released a statement, informing that a fire emerging in a forest area nearby Galaalti Hotel had been extinguished. Regarding the wildfires in other areas, it was stated that currently, the fight against fires continues.
Deputy Minister of Emergency Situations Lieutenant General Etibar Mirzayev is in the northern region regarding the prevention of fires. 600 personnel, about 80 pieces of equipment, 2 helicopters and 1 “BE 200 CS” amphibious aircraft were involved in fighting fires in this region.
Ministry press-release
As of August 19, the fires are reported to continue while the authorities and volunteers are involved in prevention of fires.
Forest fires continue in Shabran and Guba districts. When we returned from the fire area yesterday evening, several large and small fires could be seen in different parts of the forest. As the weather got dark, manpower and equipment temporarily stopped the work [of fire prevention].
Elshan Baba, on Facebook, August 19
According to the information I have, the wind has slowed down today, but the fire continues.
While there are no casualties, several farmers in Shabran who talked a local RFE/RL reporter informed of damages to their livestock and farming fields.
