Fire Breaks Out at Khosrov Forest State Reserve; Drone and Helicopter Deployed for Reconnaissance

On June 19, at 05:30, firefighting operations have resumed from the first checkpoint of Khosrov Forest State Reserve towards the 'Kusous' section. This was reported by the Ministry of Emergency Situations’ Information and Public Relations Department.

There are currently 86 rescue workers at the scene, along with 16 employees of the reserve, and a total of 3 main fire engines, 1 off-road vehicle, 1 specialized communication vehicle, and 6 rescue vehicles.

Aerial reconnaissance is being conducted periodically using a drone above the fire site. It has been determined that approximately 5 hectares of grassland is burning, with one smoldering spot where 34 rescue workers and 6 forestry employees are actively engaged.

Due to inaccessible terrain for fire engines, rescuers have transported firefighting tools, equipment, and a vast quantity of water about 2 kilometers to manage the fire effectively.

At the site are Deputy Director of the Emergency Situations Rescue Service Lt. Col. A. Grigoryan, Chief of the Rescue Forces Command Lt. Col. T. Petrosyan, Chief of the Organizational Department Lt. Col. T. Avagyan, and Chief of the Ararat Regional Rescue Department Lt. Col. V. Hovsepyan.

It is worth noting that on June 18 at 14:41, the National Crisis Management Center received information regarding smoke rising from the section leading from the first checkpoint of Khosrov Forest State Reserve towards 'Kusous'. An operational group from the Ararat regional rescue department of the Ministry of Emergency Situations and five combat teams from the firefighting units were dispatched to the scene, along with four teams from the Special Rescue Operations Center and operational groups from the Firefighting and Rescue Operations Organizing Department and the Organizational Department.

A drone has been deployed for reconnaissance, and a helicopter has also been dispatched to the site. According to preliminary data, around 15 hectares of grassland is burning. Firefighting operations were halted at 21:25 due to darkness.

In total, 60 rescue workers, 40 forestry employees, 4 staff members from the Nature and Cultural Heritage Protection Fund, and 10 volunteers from Urdzadzor village were on site.