Syrian civil defense teams have contained 80% of the wildfires raging in the Kessab area of northern Latakia province, local authorities said Saturday, as efforts continued to cool hotspots and reach remote blazes. Abdul Kafi Kiyal, head of the Civil Defense Directorate in Latakia, told the state-run SANA news agency that crews are focusing on monitoring and cooling operations in several fire zones, including Shajar al-Maabar and the Chalma junction. He said rugged terrain is hampering access to remaining fire pockets in Wadi al-Nabain near the village of al-Mashrafah, complicating full containment. Monitoring teams will continue 24-hour surveillance until all active fires are extinguished, Kiyal added. Latakia and several other Syrian provinces have been hit by recurring wildfires this summer, driven by record heat, prolonged drought, thick forest growth, and gusty winds. In July, wildfires tore through mountain forests in Latakia for 12 consecutive days, burning over 16,000 hectares of woodlands and farmland, damaging 45 villages, and displacing nearly 1,200 families, according to official data. — Agencies
