ASIATODAY.ID, MAZANDARAN — Iranian authorities have brought the wildfire in Elit Forest under control after a large-scale emergency operation, even as a separate blaze continues to threaten the ancient Hyrcanian Forests, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the oldest ecosystems on Earth.
The fires come amid Iran’s worst drought in more than six decades, compounding an already severe environmental crisis.
Iran Deploys Major Forces to Contain Elit Forest Wildfire
Hossein Sajedi, head of Iran’s Crisis Management Organization, confirmed on Sunday that the Elit Forest fire in Mazandaran Province is now under control. He said the response plan was executed based on expert assessments and has achieved “significant success.”
Mazandaran Governor Mahdi Younesi said the operation remains active due to challenging terrain, drought, and rising temperatures. The government deployed extensive resources, including:
40 emergency teams
520 personnel
8 helicopters
2 Ilyushin firefighting aircraft
Elit Forest in Marzanabad has suffered two major fires this month — the first on November 1, 2025, extinguished after several days, and another on November 15, which has largely been contained with assistance from local residents and aerial firefighting units.
UNESCO’s Hyrcanian Forests Hit by One of Iran’s Most Destructive Fires
While crews worked to secure Elit Forest, a much larger wildfire swept across parts of the Hyrcanian Forests, a globally significant ecosystem dating back 25–50 million years and home to endangered species such as the Persian leopard.
Local authorities reported that 80% of the fire has been controlled, but persistent drought and strong winds are fueling new hotspots.
Recognized by UNESCO for their unique biodiversity, the Hyrcanian woodlands stretch along the Caspian Sea across Iran and Azerbaijan and host hundreds of rare tree species, some centuries old.
Worst Drought in 60 Years Escalates Iran’s Wildfire Risks
Iran is facing multiple overlapping crises, including:
The most severe drought in more than 60 years
Record-breaking heat, with temperatures exceeding 122°F (50°C)
Widespread water shortages in Tehran and Mashhad
Agricultural and water mismanagement, worsening climate impacts
Environmental stress has intensified public anxiety, with many Iranians expressing alarm over the rapid deterioration of natural ecosystems.
NASA Satellite Images Reveal Massive Damage
Satellite imagery from NASA indicates that nearly 1,500 acres of the Hyrcanian Forests have burned. The scale of destruction has sparked outrage on social media, with users criticizing authorities for an allegedly slow response.
Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi condemned the government in a post on X, urging the United Nations and international environmental bodies to support local activists battling the fires.
“We cannot allow negligence to destroy more of Iran’s national heritage,” she wrote.
As firefighters struggled to contain the Hyrcanian blaze, state media reported another wildfire in forests near Jolfa, in northwestern Iran, further stretching emergency response capacity. (AT Network)
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