The Beirut Fire Brigade pleaded Tuesday for help to extinguish a fire that has ripped through a forest in Bshamoun.
The firefighters urged those who can help to secure water for the fire engines, as the wind caused the fire to spread.
The schools in the area evacuated the students because of the smoke, amid fears that the flames may reach electricity lines.
A Civil Defense firefighter was meanwhile injured and transferred to hospital.
“The wind speed is preventing us from controlling the fire,” Director General of the Civil Defense Raymond Khattar decried, adding that the conditions are not favorable for the firefighters. “This fire is premeditated,” Khattar said.
Beirut Governor Judge Marwan Abboud had asked the fire brigade to help the Civil Defense to douse the fire in Bshamoun that erupted Monday night and reignited today, Tuesday.
Environment Minister Nasser Yassine, who inspected the area, reiterated the calls for help and asked for water reinforcements from the governor of Mount Lebanon.
He said that the wind had worsened the situation, endangering the safety of the team operating the army’s helicopters. “The helicopters were forced to stop,” Yassine said.