The fire that broke out in Arevik National Park has not been extinguished for almost ten days. Rescuers from the Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES) have been carrying out rescue operations since September 15. According to the satellite monitoring conducted by Hydrometereology Monitoring Center on September 20, about 423 hectares were burnt, as the Ministry of Environment informs.
On September 24, the firefighting works resumed in the territory of "Arevik" National Park. There are smoking spots. According to the website of the RA Ministry of Emergency Situations, 70 rescue workers and 20 employees of "Zangezur" Biosphere Reserve SNCO are taking part in the firefighting work.
The Environment Ministry informs that the problem of extinguishing the fire is that it is about 5.5 km away from the ground road of the original spot and is difficult to pass. "The fire is spreading very strongly, because there is a sparse juniper forest growing, there are dried bushes, dried oak and maple trees, the water is as shallow as well as there are strong winds.
A helicopter was also involved in the firefighting on September 20," the press release spread by Environment Ministry on September 23 informs.
It went viral on the Internet that the Iranian side had also taken part in the firefighting operation in "Arevik" National Park. However, the Ministry of Emergency Situations denied that information. "The information disseminated by the media does not correspond to reality. At the moment, the Armenian side does not need assistance in firefighting, but there is no doubt that if necessary, the Iranian friends will come to the rescue.”
September 24, 2021 at 10:54