Wildfires Continue in Dil Forests of Gachsaran and Khaiz Mountain

Wildfires in Khaiz Mountain in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province and forests in the “Dil” area of Gachsaran continue to rage. The head of environment protection in Kohgiluyeh has “earnestly” requested the people to mobilize efforts to contain the fires.

The wildfire in the Khaiz protected area began on Thursday, June 8th, and forests and areas in the Dil region of Gachsaran were affected by fire one day later. According to local officials in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province, these wildfires have continued for four days and approximately 250 hectares of forests and rangelands in the area have been burned.

Ruhollah Azizi, director general of environmental protection in Kohgiluyeh, told ISNA news agency on Sunday, June 11th (May 31st), that the fire in Khaiz Mountain has flared up again.

The head of environmental protection in Kohgiluyeh appealed to the people for help and said: “We earnestly request the people to help prevent the destruction of wildlife habitats and come forward to contain the fires.”

Azizi identified Abkase village on the edge of Khaiz Mountain as the gathering point for civilian forces.

Khaiz is located in the geographical area between Khuzestan and Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad provinces. The Khaiz area covers an area of approximately 33,385 hectares and has been included in Iran’s protected areas since December 1998. The vegetation of the area consists of oak (dominant species), pistachio, carpinus, wild almond, oak, hornbeam, medicinal plants, and species from the grass family. The animal species of the area include ibex, wolf, goitered gazelle, jackal, fox, leopard, and birds such as partridge and Chukar.

Ali Khanpayeh, commander of Gachsaran city, has also announced that the extent of wildfires in forests and rangelands in the “Dil” area continues.

This local official stated that more forces along with Air Force helicopters are being dispatched to the area to contain the wildfire.

The wildfire spread from the Behbahan side in Khuzestan Province to the highlands of Kohgiluyeh.

Dispute Between Two Herders Caused the Wildfire

According to the director general of environmental protection in Kohgiluyeh, the fire broke out as a result of disputes among nomads located outside the Khaiz protected area.

Local officials said they are unable to contain the wildfire. Vahid Mohammadi Tabar, director general of crisis management in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province, reported consultations by the governor with the defense minister and the commander-in-chief of the IRGC to deploy a water-bombing helicopter from Khuzestan, and simultaneously called on the people to assist in extinguishing the fire. He considered helicopters and helicourts for troop transportation as the most important need to contain the Khaiz fire.

According to ISNA news agency, the Ministry of Defense previously provided fire-fighting helicopters, but because the government did not allocate funds for this purpose, the Ministry of Defense has not cooperated with the Forest Organization for two years.