With more than 100 blazes erupting from north to south over the past two days…
Lebanon ongoing wildfires are the worst to have hit the country in decades.
Wildfires spread through parts of Lebanon on Tuesday after forcing some residents to flee their homes in the middle of the night, while others were stuck inside as the flames reached villages south of Beirut.
A heatwave in the region coupled with strong winds intensified the fires that began a day earlier in mostly pine forests around the country and three provinces in neighbouring Syria.
Environment minister Fadi Jreissati said at least one person has died in the fires, which are among the worst to hit Lebanon in years.
Fire crews were overwhelmed by the flames in the Mount Lebanon region early Tuesday, forcing the Interior Ministry to send riot police with engines equipped with water cannons to help.
Two small aircraft were sent from the nearby Mediterranean island of Cyprus to help put out the flames.
Such violent wildfires are terrifying, and are becoming the new normal, even close to Winter. [Independent]
