New waves of fire hit Georgia
By Tea Mariamidze
Tuesday, September 26
New fires hit Georgia’s Borjomi Gorge on September 24 near the village of Tsagveri and near the region’s famous forest, the same area where fires destroyed dozens of hectares of coniferous forest in August.
Georgia’s Minister for Regional Development and Infrastructure, Zurab Alavidze, says the fire is far from Borjomi’s populated area and it does not endanger local residents.
“Fortunately, the population is safe and there is no danger to them at all. Personnel with the proper equipment are working to extinguish the fire and I hope we will succeed soon,” he added.
Deputy Interior Minister of Georgia Otar Malania stated that all the open zones have been localized at the site.
“The situation is controlled in Borjomi municipality's town of Tsagveri, serious complications have not occurred,” he stated.
Malania noted that Azerbaijan has sent one helicopter and Turkey another two to assist Georgia in extinguishing the fire. Before this, two Georgian helicopters, belonging to the Tusheti Company and the Interior Ministry respectively, were involved in firefighting efforts.
Fire-fighters, foresters and rescuers remain at the Emergency Headquarters in order to fully localize the fire.
The Interior Ministry expects that with the involvement of three foreign helicopters, the fire will be extinguished soon.
The ministry added that since the breakout of the blaze on Sunday, six kilometers of road have been cut in order to reach the burning areas.
Along with the fire in Borjomi, firefighters managed to localize a fire in the town of Tsnori in the Kakheti region of eastern Georgia.
The Emergency Situations Service reports that the fire spread on bushes and grass near a populated area.
“The firefighters managed to timely extinguish the blaze,” the agency said.
Moreover, another fire was observed in the village of Juta in the Kazbegi region. The Interior Ministry stated that the fire is not dangerous, as it is surrounded by mountain rivers from three sides.
“A fire is burning on the Zeta Mountain. It spread on the dry grass and bushes. However, there is no risk that the fire will spread,” the Ministry added.
