Fire spreads rapidly on Azmar Mountain in Al-Sulaymaniyah
Shafaq News- Al-Sulaymaniyah
A fire broke out Friday evening in the Diwi Setak area of Azmar Mountain in Al-Sulaymaniyah, with strong winds helping the flames spread rapidly and making them difficult to contain, a source told Shafaq News.
He attributed the rapid spread to strong winds sweeping across Al-Sulaymaniyah province, which complicated efforts to contain and extinguish the flames.
“The cause of the fire remains unknown, and there were no immediate reports on the extent of the damage or any injuries.”
Previous fires have also swept through the mountain and the adjoining Koyija Mountain, the latest occurring on July 22 and destroying about 200 dunams of natural forest.
Local authorities relate most of the recurring fires in the highlands to negligence and human activity, including waste left behind by visitors, as well as natural factors such as the sharp rise in summer temperatures.
The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has strengthened fire safety rules for buildings, fuel stations, and gas installations amid rapid urban growth, the expansion of high-rise facilities, and the growing number of sites handling flammable substances.The updated framework, prepared by the Ministry of Interior, sets out technical requirements for the design, construction, and operation of residential, commercial, industrial, and service facilities. It draws on international standards from the US National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the British Standards Institution (BSI), and European (EN) standards.
