Russian Air Force helicopter crews stationed at the Khmeimim base in Syria rescued the village of Deirutan, located in mountainous Latakia, from a wildfire. This was reported to reporters at the Center for the Reconciliation of the Warring Parties in Syria.
"A wildfire raged for several days in the Syrian province of Latakia. The fire engulfed more than 1.5 hectares of territory near the settlement of Deirutan. The disaster spread and posed a real threat to the population and buildings in the region. The provincial governor requested the assistance of the RF Armed Forces grouping in extinguishing the fire," a representative of the center reported.
According to him, two army Mi-8 helicopters were used to extinguish the fire, which made 28 discharges. To extinguish the fire 43 tons of water were used. There were no casualties or fatalities. Fire extinguishing was complicated by mountainous terrain and high atmospheric temperature (in Latakia the temperature was more than plus 30 degrees).
In the fall of 2020 wildfires raged in Syria in the provinces of Latakia, Tartus and Homs. Olive groves and valuable tree species were burning, and not only Russian helicopters, but also Russian Air Force Il-76MD aircrafts were involved in extinguishing them.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Creative Commons
Based on materials from TASS