Kobayat, Akkar, Lebanon (Enmaeya News) — A massive wildfire broke out on Sunday in the densely forested mountains around Kobayat in Akkar, consuming large stretches of woodland and posing a serious threat to the region’s natural environment.

Civil defense teams from Kobayat and surrounding towns Al Bireh, Munjez, Aidamoun, Deir Janine, Andaket, Chadra, Hisheh, and Wadi Khaled have been battling the blaze amid strong gusty winds that are hindering containment efforts and causing the fire to spread rapidly. Located in the mountainous north, Kobayat is home to pine, oak, and cedar forests. The intense flames are threatening not only the region’s rich biodiversity but also nearby villages and water sources.

The fire comes amid growing concerns over increasingly arid conditions in northern Lebanon, where rising temperatures and reduced rainfall have heightened wildfire risk. In 2021, the same forests experienced devastating fires that destroyed over 1,800 hectares, a reminder of the urgency to invest in environmental protection.

The Kobayat wildfire highlights a climate-driven threat to Lebanon’s northern forests. Authorities and environmental advocates emphasize the need to boost firefighting capacity, expand surveillance (such as through watchtowers), and implement sustainable forest management strategies to safeguard these vital ecosystems.