Disaster in the Hyrcanian Forests: Elit Still Burns
WANA (Nov 22) – A massive wildfire in the Hyrcanian forests—one of the world’s oldest and most valuable ecosystems stretching across northern Iran and parts of Mazandaran Province—broke out on November 2nd in the rocky highlands of the Elit region in Chalous. According to local sources, the presence of several hunters in this rugged mountainous area has strengthened the likelihood of human involvement in the incident. The fire, occurring within a UNESCO World Heritage–listed section of the forest, rapidly intensified due to dry vegetation and steep slopes, causing repeated flare-ups from the very beginning.
In the first hours of the incident, natural resources forces, environmental officers, and local residents attempted to contain the blaze by traversing narrow, rocky mountain paths. But the inaccessible terrain meant that operations could only be carried out with light equipment. As the fire spread, the Chalous governor and the Director General of Mazandaran’s Crisis Management Office entered the area and established an emergency command center in Elit village. Aerial firefighting operations using water-bombing helicopters began, with increased coordination from the air; however, thick smoke repeatedly interfered with full heliborne flights. Soon after, Army aviation units joined with rescue and firefighting helicopters, dropping larger quantities of water from suspended tanks over the fire’s focal points.
A massive wildfire in the Hyrcanian forests. social media / WANA News Agency
At least six helicopters are currently active in the area, and according to Hossein-Ali Mohammadi, Mazandaran’s Crisis Management chief, more than 60 sorties have been completed so far. The number of ground crews has risen from 22 to 40, with nearly 400 rescue workers, forest rangers, and local volunteers participating daily. Despite this, the rocky terrain continues to slow ground teams, and each gust of wind or fall of dry leaves re-ignites surface flames. Mehrdad Khazaei-Pool, Director General of Natural Resources in Nowshahr, has stated that only trained personnel can access the high elevations, and that some valley areas are still experiencing surface fires.
On Friday, two rounds of major firefighting operations were conducted by Ilyushin aircraft belonging to the IRGC and the Army; these planes can drop up to 40 tons of water in a single pass and are currently among the most effective tools for containing the blaze. The governor of Mazandaran also reported that “just minutes ago,” Ilyushin operations resumed alongside Iran’s aerial fleet and additional foreign equipment.
International assistance has also moved into an operational phase. Shina Ansari, head of Iran’s Department of Environment, announced that two firefighting aircraft, one helicopter, and eight specialists from Turkey have been deployed to the Elit region—support secured through direct negotiations with Turkish officials. The Iranian embassy in Russia has also stated that, if needed, specialized Russian aircraft and equipment can be mobilized to help control the fire.
Meanwhile, the Mazandaran Red Crescent is on site with 17 operational teams, 67 rescuers, dozens of support personnel, and a helicopter. They have transported ambulances, utility vehicles, and rescue trucks to support natural resources forces. Gholam-Ali Fakhari, the provincial Red Crescent director, said that public calls and early warnings from November 9th prompted the immediate deployment of emergency teams.
At the national level, Iran’s First Vice President has held separate calls with the governor of Mazandaran and the head of the National Crisis Management Organization, ordering the full mobilization of governmental resources, neighboring provinces, and even public capacities. He emphasized that until the Hyrcanian forests are completely extinguished, no limitations on equipment provision are acceptable. The judiciary in Mazandaran has also begun investigating possible arson, with law enforcement present at the scene.
The provincial Chief Justice warned that any negligence by officials or mismanagement of the crisis will face legal consequences.
Now, with intensified ground, aerial, and international operations, officials hope that the pace of containment will increase in the coming hours. Yet the naturally harsh terrain of Elit and ongoing surface flames in the valleys remain the main obstacles to declaring the complete control of this environmental disaster at the heart of the Hyrcanian forests.
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