A large wildfire broke out on Sunday morning in the forested valleys of Remhala, in the caza of Aley, prompting an urgent response from Lebanon’s Civil Defense units and the Lebanese Army, as the flames threatened to reach nearby residential areas.
According to a statement from the Directorate of Media and Public Relations at the General Directorate of Civil Defense, the fire ignited at approximately 10:10 AM local time and quickly spread due to strong winds and the dry terrain. The operation was launched under the direction of Minister of Interior Ahmad al-Hajjar and supervised by Acting Civil Defense Director Brig. Gen. Nabil Farah.
Around 70 firefighters and 12 fire trucks from 12 different Civil Defense centers were mobilized.
Reinforcements were rushed to the scene, but responders faced significant challenges, including limited road access to the heart of the blaze deep within the valley, which connects the towns of Remhala and Selfaya. High winds further complicated containment efforts.
To support aerial firefighting, Civil Defense crews constructed an artificial water reservoir on site. This reservoir allowed a Lebanese Army Air Force helicopter to drop water from above—a crucial addition to the ground operation.
Despite the difficult conditions, officials confirmed that firefighters successfully prevented the flames from reaching residential areas in Remhala. However, operations remain ongoing as crews work to fully control the blaze and prevent it from spreading toward neighboring forested zones, including the area near Jisr el-Qadi. Authorities have yet to determine the cause of the fire.
In a public advisory, the General Directorate of Civil Defense urged citizens to avoid lighting fires in forested areas, especially with temperatures rising during spring. “Such actions pose a serious threat to public safety and endanger Lebanon’s critical forest resources,” the statement read. Officials also warned against burning dry grass when clearing farmland, a common but risky practice that has sparked devastating wildfires in the past.
The public is advised to report any fire incidents immediately by calling the emergency number 125.
Comments