Fire outbreak is not accidental, I don't know who is interested - Garnik Danielyan

Garnik Danielyan states that the raging fires in Tavush and Gegharkunik regions cannot be considered accidental, given the presence of multiple hotspots and the significant damage caused to Dilijan National Park.

For several days, fires have spread in Tavush and Gegharkunik regions. This was stated today, November 26, during a conversation with journalists at the National Assembly by Garnik Danielyan, a member of the Armenia parliamentary faction.

The MP recalled that previously, a large number of farmlands and forests were burning in the Chambarak area, after which the fire reached the Tavush region and spread within the territory of Dilijan National Park.

“Yesterday I was informed of four hotspots; one was in an area called Kazachi, one was above the ‘Mountainous Armenia’ guesthouse, the third was a large hotspot near the hairpin turns, and the fourth was near the village of Seymonovka, posing a threat to reach the village. Work was carried out all night, and thanks to the selfless work of the rescuers and volunteers, by morning, certain results were achieved. Where I was last night, the fire was extinguished. This morning I was informed that helicopters from the Ministry of Defense were involved. At one point last night, it seemed that the fire was beyond control because it was rapidly approaching the lower areas, but the efforts of the rescuers have yielded results at this moment,” the MP stated.

Discussing the causes of the fires, Garnik Danielyan noted that the existing hotspots are not very connected to each other and are located quite far apart, which, according to him, indicates that they are separate outbreaks.

“Without violating the presumption of innocence, I do not want to make assessments now because it would be very premature and may not be entirely objective, but I have reasonable suspicions considering the situation. I cannot consider all these fires as having ignited accidentally. The fact that the fires are in different places gives me reasonable suspicion that there has been some human influence. Whether it is negligence or intent remains to be clarified by the investigation, but in my deep conviction, this was not accidental; this is my opinion,” he said.

The opposition MP also noted that the spread of fires is affected by the dry grass cover, dead trees, and wind. When asked whether there is a danger that the fire may continue to spread or whether the main hotspots have already been extinguished, Danielyan replied that even in the areas where the fire has been extinguished, it sometimes flares up again, and the wind also contributes to that process.

He noted that throughout the night, a large number of equipment and rescuers from various regions of Armenia have joined the efforts. In Danielyan’s opinion, it would have been more appropriate if these actions had been carried out in the initial phase of the fires to prevent such scales.

He emphasized that serious damage has already been inflicted on the ecology, flora, and nature, as well as the area of Dilijan National Park.

The MP added that it is now crucial for law enforcement agencies to investigate the circulating hypotheses regarding the causes of the fires, to find out who may have had an interest or what circumstances contributed to their occurrence, and that those responsible should be held strictly accountable.