DAMASCUS: The Syrian Arab Republic’s Civil Defense has responded to 10,791 fires across the country since the start of 2026, as authorities warned that rising temperatures and the harvest season continue to drive risks, while emergency crews also handled hundreds of road accidents.
Figures compiled from Syrian Arab News Agency reports show the Civil Defense, operating under the Ministry of Emergency and Disaster Management, responded to 8,821 fires between Jan. 1 and June 19, and 1,970 between June 21 and July 6.
Of the total fires recorded this year, 1,362 occurred in agricultural fields and crop lands, while 9,429 involved residential homes, commercial premises, dry vegetation, grasslands, trees, forests, garbage sites and electrical wiring, SANA reported.
The Civil Defense said agricultural fires have increased alongside higher temperatures and the harvest season, prompting repeated appeals for residents to avoid lighting fires near farmland and forests, safely dispose of cigarette butts and glass containers, and remove dry vegetation without burning it.
Infographic generated by Gemini (Google AI)
The ministry launched its “Your Awareness Is Your Action” campaign on May 14 to promote fire-prevention measures aimed at protecting crops as well as public and private property.
Emergency teams continued to respond to heavy daily caseloads during the reporting period.
The largest number of fire incidents was reported on June 30, when firefighters dealt with 265, followed by 250 on June 24, 225 on June 28, 217 on June 25, 212 on June 23, 187 on July 1, 181 on June 21, 176 on June 22, 154 on July 6, and 62 on July 5.
While most incidents resulted in property damage, several caused casualties. Fires during the period claimed three lives and injured 22 people, including firefighters, according to Civil Defense reports.
SANA’s reports show that many of the fires occurred in residential buildings, commercial shops, electrical installations and areas of dry vegetation, underscoring the heightened danger during the summer months. The Civil Defense did not publish a separate tally for forest fires.
Road accidents also remained a significant burden for emergency responders.
Between June 21 and July 6, Civil Defense teams responded to 180 traffic accidents, in which six people were killed and 162 injured. Rescue crews provided first aid, transported the wounded to hospitals, secured accident sites and cleared roads to restore traffic.
Syria’s Civil Defense teams responded to 180 traffic accidents across the country between June 21 and July 6 alone. (SANA photos)
The Civil Defense has repeatedly urged motorists to slow down, inspect the technical condition of their vehicles, avoid using mobile phones while driving and exercise greater caution, particularly during the busy summer travel period.
Officials warned that the combination of hot, dry weather and ongoing harvesting operations is expected to keep fire risks elevated in the coming weeks, calling on the public to follow safety guidelines to help prevent further outbreaks.
