Massive Fire Reignites in Iran’s Ancient Hyrcanian Woodlands
A renewed wildfire in the Hyrcanian forests of Elit in Chalous County has entered its sixth consecutive day.
A renewed wildfire in the Hyrcanian forests of Elit in Chalous County has entered its sixth consecutive day, prompting the deployment of helicopters, a large Il-76 water-bomber aircraft, and dozens of emergency crews as authorities describe the incident as “one of the most complex firefighting operations in recent years.” New images published by Iranian media show vast sections of the steep, rocky forests engulfed in thick smoke, with visibility so low that water-dropping helicopters were forced to halt operations on Thursday due to heavy smoke.
The ancient Hyrcanian (Caspian) forests are a UNESCO-listed natural heritage site, stretching over 850 kilometers along the southern Caspian coast and the northern slopes of the Alborz Mountains, with an estimated age of 25 to 50 million years. Environmental experts warn that prolonged drought and reduced rainfall have extended the wildfire season in both the Zagros and Hyrcanian regions, making repeated late-autumn fires increasingly likely.
The fire, located in the high elevations above Marzan-Abad and roughly six kilometers from Elit village, has proven unusually persistent. The first fire ignited on November 1, where it was reportedly contained within the first 24 hours. However, on November 15 the fire reignited, this time far more intense and widespread. Fire behavior has shifted rapidly over the following days: November 16 saw the flames push south and east. By November 17, the fire had shrunk to two hotspots on the eastern side, and on November 18 no visible flames remained. However, on November 19 and 20, the fire flared up again, expanding toward the north and east. On November 21, the blaze was active in two large but separate zones.
Local officials emphasize that the steep cliffs, sharp inclines, and highly inaccessible terrain have significantly slowed suppression efforts. According to the Head of Mazandaran’s Crisis Management Department, the situation demands “extraordinary logistical and technical coordination,” as firefighters and volunteers must be transported by air to reach the burning ridges. The ongoing fire in the forests around Elit was preceded by a November 1 fire, which was contained after several days.
Mazandaran’s governor, Mehdi Younesi Rostami, said during a site visit on Friday that 20 members of the Nature Volunteer Forces have been injured in the past six days while attempting to control the fire. Firefighting capacity has increased. Five helicopters are now assisting operations, four dedicated to water drops and one for heli-lift and personnel transport. In addition, a 40-ton water-carrying Il-76 aircraft was dispatched from Tehran and has already released its first payload over the fire zone. Officials say the aircraft may return to Tehran multiple times for water loading, depending on conditions.
In contrast with the scale of the response, Mehrdad Khazaei, the head of Nowshahr’s Natural Resources Department, attributed the cause to “human factors,” insisting that “the Hyrcanian fire is under control” and that “there is no need for non-specialist volunteers.” His remarks stand out given the repeated reignition of the fire and the heavy involvement of civilian teams.
The ongoing blaze underscores rising concerns about climate vulnerability, insufficient forest protection, and the growing frequency of human-related ignitions in one of Iran’s most ecologically significant and fragile ecosystems.