Majority of wildfires human-caused — Agriculture Ministry Jordan

Majority of wildfires human-caused — Agriculture Ministry Jordan

AMMAN — A total of 437 dunums of land have been burned as a result of recent wildfires between Jerash and Ajloun, according to Lorans Al Majali, spokesperson for the Ministry of Agriculture. Majali said in a press statement that preliminary results indicate the fire was human-caused, pointing out that approximately 60 per cent of fires were “deliberately” started. He also pointed out the decrease in the number of fires in the past year compared to 2021, which saw a dip from 500 fires in 2021 to only 190 fires in 2022. He indicated that the fire that broke out in the area between Jerash and Ajloun was the first, noting that it was brought under control within two hours. He added that the more than 80 per cent slope combined with strong winds intensified and prolonged the fire, causing it to expand to three locations. Spokesman for the Ministry of Environment, Ahmed Obeidat, said that there is a plan in the works to train people living near forests on how to deal with fires. Obeidat added that the ministry launched a plan in cooperation with the Civil Defence Directorate to combat fires. Expert in the field of firefighting, safety