Since November 21, fire incidents have been recorded in various regions of Armenia. According to the relevant authorities, the outbreaks are linked to the burning of crop residues and dry leaves.
According to information from the Ministry of Environment, the fire that broke out on November 21 in the Chambarak–Ttujur area had spread by November 23 to sections 1, 2 and 4 of the Getik Forest District of “Chambarak Forestry” branch of “ArmForest” SNCO, burning grass cover and trees. Preliminary data indicate that parts of sections 1, 2 and 4 of the Getik Forest District burned, and the fire continued in the direction of section 6 of the Dprabak Forest District.
According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs Rescue Service report of November 24, intensive firefighting efforts were also carried out in “Kazachi” section of Dilijan in Tavush Region, near Navur Village, in the forest adjacent to the Dilijan bends, and near Dzorashen Village in Shirak Region.
As of November 25, fires have been extinguished in two hotspots in the Chambarak–Ttujur area in Gegharkunik Region, in the Spitakasar section of Martuni in Gegharkunik, at the Vardenyats Pass, on the mountain near the village of Zolakar, in Lori Region at the Spitak Pass, Lernajur, the Saratovka–Novoseltsovo area, on the mountain near the villages of Gogaran and Saralanj, near the villages of Urasar and Tsaghkaber, in Syunik Region near Ishkhanasar and the Ishkhanasar–Noravan area, in Kotayk Region in the “Dzorqash” area of Hrazdan’s Makravan district, near the Aparan reservoir in Aragatsotn Region, in Tavush Region’s Dilijan “Kazachi” section, near Navur village, in the forest adjacent to the Dilijan bends, and near Shirak Region’s Dzorashen.
In total, 1,830 rescue service personnel, 10 police officers, 103 park rangers, 17 main units of equipment and 143 auxiliary units of machinery are involved in the firefighting efforts. The Ministry of Defense conducted reconnaissance and firefighting operations using a helicopter (70 flights).
The Rescue Service urges community residents to avoid burning dry grass and crop residues during pasture and field clearing, in order not to create additional fire hazards.
“The Rescue Service reminds the public of the harmful consequences of burning crop residues and expects responsible behavior from all:
– Burning residues damages the soil and reduces soil fertility
– Smoke has negative impacts on human health
– Burning destroys or harms biodiversity and weakens the ecosystem’s natural restoration capacity,” the statement reads.
The Ministry of Environment, for its part, reminds the public that burning leaf litter is prohibited by law.
Penalties for violation:
For citizens – a warning or a fine of 50,000 AMD.
For officials – a fine of 200,000 AMD.
Photo Credit: Public journalist Siranuysh Avetisyan
November 25, 2025 at 15:57