Smoke has risen once again from the burnt Hour Al-Azim Wetland on Iraqi soil, giving rise to speculations that the wildfire has reignited.
After days since the start of a fire extinguishing mission in Iraqi part of the marshes, smoke has shown up as a probable sign of fire starting once again in the dried parts of the wetland, Zist Online reported.
According to Nazem Sobouti, governor of Hoveyzeh border city in Khuzestan Province, the blaze was not thoroughly put out, as the vastness of the affected area extremely complicated the operation.
"To make sure what exactly is the source of the smoke, satellite images should be investigated as soon as possible," he said.
According to Ahmadreza Lahijanzadeh, head of the provincial office of the Department of Environment, officials are negotiating with the Defense Ministry to dispatch air tankers to the area to complete the mission and ensure the fire is totally contained.
"Chemical and flammable gases released during the conflagration combined with high temperatures of over 50 degrees Celsius increase the chances for the fire to restart," Lahijanzadeh said.
To successfully extinguish the fire, it should be hemmed in for at least five or six consecutive days with no pause, he noted.
The official maintained that given the current complicated situation, the best and most effective solution is to release water from Karkheh Dam reservoir so as to snuff out the flames and prevent their recurrence.
"The solution has been suggested to Khuzestan Water and Power Authority, which is yet to make a decision," Lahijanzadeh said.
Kiamars Hajizadeh, director of provincial Disaster Management Organization, also said Iraq is facing a lack of equipment and the affected areas are hard to reach.
"Therefore, consultation and involvement of Iraqi headquarters would do good to manage the issue."
Long-Burning Fire
In early July, a huge wildfire hit Hour al-Azim wetland in the southwest of the country. The fire burned the marshes and spewed massive clouds of smoke toward several cities in Khuzestan Province causing breathing difficulties for their residents.
The blaze engulfing the Iranian parts of the wetland was soon put out; however, the flames were fanned westward to the Iraqi side of the marshes.
Using foreign helitankers and aerial fire distinguishing equipment, an Iranian firefighting team started a mission on the area on July 20, after coordination with the Iraqi government.
Reportedly, some 180,000 hectares of the marshes have so far been damaged, but this is apparently not the end, Mehr News Agency reported.
Recent reports say the smoke has once again emerged in the skies of cities in Khuzestan, bordering Iraq.
The smoke has crossed the border into the city of Hoveyzeh and drifted over 115 kilometers to reach Mahshahr affecting Susangerd, Bostan and Ahvaz on its way.
