The Ministry of Defense Helicopter Conducts Continuous Flights: Interior Ministry Spokesman Provides Details on Fires

In Tavush Province, there are currently fires in four areas with vegetation and grass cover, where firefighters are intensively carrying out firefighting operations. This was stated by Narak Sargsyan, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Internal Affairs, during a conversation with journalists on November 26.

“The first area is the forested region above the 'Mountainous Armenia' health resort, the second area is around the Dilijan bends, the third area is known as 'Kazachi,' and the fourth is in the area called Navour. In the 'Kazachi' area, located between Tavush and Lori provinces, the fire has been isolated, and firefighting operations are currently underway here and in the Dilijan bends,” he said.

Approximately 700 rescuers are involved, along with employees from the Ministry of Environment's eco-patrol service, local residents, and police officers. The Ministry of Defense helicopter is also participating, conducting continuous flights,” he added.

When asked if there is a preliminary hypothesis about the cause of the fires, Sargsyan replied, “There are various discussions, but mainly experts indicate that the dry climate is a contributing factor. We also continually urge our residents not to conduct unnecessary burning and not to burn pigsties. Burning pigsties damages soil quality, affects biodiversity, and can cause fires in such dry conditions.”

Regarding the possibility of involving international partners in firefighting efforts, the Interior Ministry spokesperson stated, “At this moment, both our human resources and our equipment are sufficient, and the firefighting operations are being carried out properly. If there were to be such discussions, of course, we would make a separate statement, but there are currently no such discussions.”

“After the complete completion of firefighting operations, we will publish the total area of the fires across all sections. There are periodic increases in wind strength, and firefighters are on duty in the specified areas, even if the fire is isolated and extinguished,” Sargsyan mentioned.

Narak Sargsyan denied reports that the fire has reached homes or the health resort, stating, “This information does not correspond to reality. As soon as the firefighters received the call, they began firefighting operations during the day yesterday and have prevented the fire from spreading to homes and the health resort. The command post is set up right here, led by the Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, the head of the rescue service, Kamo Tsutsulyan, who organizes and directs the firefighting efforts.”