Elham Jafarzadeh: As the summer season approaches, concerns about the recurrence of widespread wildfires in the forests and pastures of the Zagros region have once again intensified; a worry that has taken on a more realistic hue due to the experience of fires in recent years in the western provinces of the country. The Zagros is one of the most important forest growth areas in Iran and a habitat for thousands of plant and animal species; an ecosystem that has repeatedly faced extensive wildfires in recent years due to drought, climate change, pests, human pressures, and various exploitations.

Abbas Mohammadi, director of the Mountain Watch Association and environmental activist, explains in an interview with KhabarOnline: “The Zagros mountains and the northern forests have long faced wildfires, like many forests around the world, and this is not a new issue. What is new is the increase in the number and extent of these fires compared to 30 or 40 years ago. Both the number of fires and the areas at risk of burning have increased.”

Mohammadi – an environmental activist – questions why the Zagros is burning more than before. He cites one of the most important factors as global warming; a phenomenon that has manifested itself more severely than the global average in countries located in the world’s dry belt over the past half-century. He explains: “According to various global reports, the average temperature increase worldwide is estimated to be about one and a half degrees Celsius, but in the dry regions of the Middle East, North Africa, the western United States, and Australia, this increase has reached about three degrees. This has a direct impact on the increased risk of wildfires.”

Fifty years of mismanagement in natural areas / From timber smuggling to agriculture; human footprints in Zagros wildfires

Mohammadi identifies the second factor as “long-term mismanagement in the field of natural resources,” stating: “For about five decades, there has been no proper management of the country’s natural areas, and effective government control over these regions has been severely weakened.” He believes this statement is not merely a criticism; “because in many forested areas, one can observe the traces of various human interventions, from timber smuggling and uncontrolled livestock movement to uncontrolled tourism, road construction, infrastructure projects, and construction. These indicate negligence and a lack of proper oversight in the environmental sector.”

This environmental activist emphasizes that some wildfires also occur for economic motives, ranging from charcoal production and timber harvesting to attempts to expand agricultural lands. However, he believes the most significant human factor is the disorderly entry and exit of individuals into nature: “From shepherds and nomads to tourists and even some personnel present in the area, they enter natural areas without adhering to necessary principles. Many nomads still rely on forest wood for cooking, or shepherds ignite fires with the aim of brewing tea, which increases the likelihood of wildfires.”

Imagery: Artificial Intelligence

Wildfires have already begun / Zagros is sitting on a powder keg of dry grass

Mohammadi believes that the wildfire risk this year is not merely a warning or prediction, but signs of it are already visible. Referring to recent fires in Fars province, he states: “Unfortunately, even now that we are still in June, wildfires have already started. In Fars province, we have several large wildfires, and the forests are burning. The onset of fires at a time when the summer season has not yet reached its peak indicates that a challenging summer and even autumn lie ahead for the forests and pastures of the country. Local forces and responsible agencies are already engaged in firefighting in some areas, and this serves as a warning for the coming months.”

Mohammadi adds: “Spring rains have also led to the widespread growth of annual weeds or grasses. In some areas of the Zagros, one can now walk among grasses that are waist-high. This vegetation, once dried, turns into a massive amount of combustible materials and effectively acts like a powder keg.”

Imagery: Artificial Intelligence

Why are local forces on the front lines of firefighting?

Mohammadi discusses the role of local forces in combating wildfires, stating: “Relying on volunteer firefighting operations is not unique to Iran; it is a well-known and successful experience in many countries around the world. For instance, in Australia, extensive structures have been established for organizing and training local volunteers, and a significant part of combating wildfires is the responsibility of these volunteers. In the United States and Canada, despite having extensive resources, a considerable portion of the firefighting forces in natural areas consists of volunteers.”

According to this environmental activist, governments utilize this model for two main reasons: “First, local people are usually the first to observe the occurrence of a wildfire and confront it before government agencies are informed. If no action is taken in the initial hours, the fire can spread rapidly, making it more challenging to control. The second reason relates to the nature of natural wildfires: The extent and power of fire in natural areas are such that even wealthy governments cannot solely bear the responsibility for its control. Global experiences have shown that without the participation of local and volunteer forces, effective confrontation with extensive forest wildfires is practically impossible, and thus, community involvement has become one of the main pillars of fire management in many parts of the world.”

Mohammadi emphasizes that in Iran, both local forces and officials from natural resources, environmental protection, the Red Crescent, and firefighting agencies play roles in controlling fires, and the contributions of neither group should be overlooked.

Wildfires in Iran mean habitat destruction / Restoring burned areas is nearly impossible

This environmental activist believes that one of the misconceptions about forest wildfires is comparing conditions in Iran with some forests in North America: “In some forests in the western United States, fire is considered part of the natural ecosystem cycle and even helps some plant species germinate, but such a situation does not exist in Iran. In the Zagros, wildfires almost always mean habitat destruction; vegetation is lost, animal shelters are destroyed, and the ecological structure of the region is damaged.”

He warns that under current climate change conditions and human pressures, restoring many damaged areas has become very difficult: “The areas that burn are often exposed to various encroachments; from agricultural expansion to road construction, mining, and construction. Therefore, many areas that have experienced wildfires in recent years have yet to return to their natural state.”

Shortage of personnel, training, and equipment / Shovels and tree branches; tools for combating fire in the 21st century?

Mohammadi sees the main solution in prevention and emphasizes that protecting nature requires more serious investment. He states: “The number of environmental guards, forest rangers, and protective forces must be increased. The country also needs trained and specialized personnel to combat wildfires in forests and pastures. In many areas, local people still enter the fray with basic tools like shovels and tree branches to combat fires; meanwhile, equipping local forces with blowers, safety clothing, and standard firefighting equipment does not incur significant costs. Villagers, nomads, and local volunteers should be organized, trained, and equipped, as they are the first to detect the fire and play the most crucial role in controlling it in the initial hours.”

This environmental activist warns that if the existing weaknesses in prevention, training, and equipping personnel are not addressed, wildfires will remain one of the most serious threats to the Zagros; a threat that targets not only forests and pastures but also the future of one of the country’s most important ecosystems.

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