The Daily Star, June 08, 2005

BEIRUT: The start of summer marks the joyous end to another school year and the start of beach season for many Lebanese, but rising temperatures also herald the beginning of forest-fire season. Statistics released by the Civil Defense general directorate show that nearly 70 percent of the 11,730 fires that broke out in 2005 occurred between June and December.

The same study showed that 28 percent of them took place in South Lebanon, 21 percent in Mount Lebanon, 16 percent in Nabatieh, 16 percent in Beirut, 10 percent in North Lebanon and 9 percent in the Bekaa. The information was published in Environment and Development (Al-Bia Wal Tanmia) magazine.

Although the overall number of fires has decreased since 2004, statistics show that fires actually increased by 67 percent in South Lebanon, and that most of the blazes began as small fires lit to burn garbage, clear land or scare away snakes.

The Agriculture Ministry said that it did not collate statistics on fires, according to the magazine.

An expert from Environment and Development magazine's environment hotline said the government should assess the damage done to land in an annual report, listing the causes of the fires to educate forest rangers on fire prevention and prosecute violators of fire safety laws.

The expert, who wished to remain anonymous, added that municipalities should require citizens to ask for authorization to start fires and inform them of the necessary precautions they need to take.

The period from October to November is considered the most dangerous as it is the season when dead leaves drop and are highly inflammable.

During this period, citizens should not light fires in excessive heat and high winds.

When disposing of fallen leaves, citizens are recommended to bury them, which has the added benefit of turning the leaves into fertilizer.

If it is necessary to burn the leaves, they should be divided into small piles, and burnt at least two meters away from trees and other inflammable objects.

When dousing a fire, citizens should make sure that no smoke is rising from the site, or the fire could start again.

(The Daily Star is Environment Hotline media partner)