A large fire destroyed areas of the Garrous Marsh near northwestern Mahabad on Tuesday, with local officials saying the blaze may have been deliberately set. The fire began around 11 a.m. in the northern part of the Kani Borazan marsh before spreading rapidly to Garrous, according to local sources. Dozens of hectares of reed beds, vegetation, and grasslands were destroyed by flames. An eyewitness told IranWire that villagers and environmental activists initially tried to control the fire using only farming tools, lacking specialized firefighting equipment. The blaze became difficult to control when it erupted simultaneously at multiple points amid strong winds. The Garrous Marsh is considered one of the region’s most important habitats for migratory and native birds. Farough Soleimani, head of Mahabad’s Environmental Protection Department, said the fire was either “deliberately set by unknown individuals or caused by spontaneous combustion due to extreme heat.” He said the blaze was extinguished with public participation using farming equipment.

Full report : Large fire reported at Qaem hospital in Iran’s Mashhad – Hamshahri.