
ArmInfo. Armenian firefighters continue to battle the fire in the Dilijan forests of the Tavush region, according to the press service of the Rescue Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Armenia.
"As of 10:30 AM on November 26, the fire that broke out in the "Kazakh" section of the city of Dilijan in the Tavush region has been contained. Work continues in other areas: near the village of Navur, in the forest adjacent to the Dilijan Pass, and near the "Mountainous Armenia" sanatorium in Dilijan. Media reports that the fire has spread to the "Mountainous Armenia" sanatorium are false," the ministry stated. The service added that the fire primarily engulfed grassy areas; a significant number of trees in the area were not damaged, but they were subject to heatstroke. "The fire has been prevented from spreading to residential buildings and the sanatorium. 669 rescuers, 215 environmental patrol officers, and city residents are involved in extinguishing the fire. A Ministry of Defense helicopter made 22 sorties throughout the day to support firefighting and conduct aerial reconnaissance of the area. The work continues at an intensive pace," the statement continued.
Regarding the recruitment of volunteers for the firefighting effort, the Rescue Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Armenia stated that the situation is under their full control, and an announcement will be made if the deployment of volunteer groups is necessary.
The ministry also reported that firefighting efforts are ongoing in the Chambarak-Ttujur section of the Gegharkunik region: two outbreaks have already been extinguished, and the other outbreaks have been contained. The ministry noted that the fire started in a grassy area on a hillside. A total of 1,194 rescuers, 16 primary and 88 auxiliary vehicles, and a Ministry of Defense helicopter were involved in the work in this area.
Meanwhile, opposition MP Garnik Danielyan of the Armenia bloc reported on his Facebook page that the fire in Dilijan had spread to the "Kazachi" section of the Dilijan district, near the village of Navur, in the forest adjacent to the Dilijan bends. He also reported a fire near the village of Dzorashen in the Shirak region.
The MP noted that a large number of firefighters, patrols, and volunteers are involved in extinguishing the fire. However, Danielyan noted that the fire continues to intensify due to dry grass and wind, which is contributing to the spread of the fire. "I believe that rescuers alone cannot stop this disaster, which has already reached enormous proportions," the MP stated.