Fierce wildfires continued to engulf southwestern Libya on Sunday, spreading rapidly into residential areas of Alawenat Oasis, officials reported.
Hamed Mohammed Ahmed, a member of the local municipal council, said firefighting teams have battled the flames tirelessly since dawn following the outbreak Saturday.
“The flames are advancing at an accelerated pace amid a complete absence of government efforts to put out the fires,” he said. So far, no injuries have been reported as residents face growing fear and uncertainty amid the relentless blaze.
The fires originated in agricultural zones of Alawenat Oasis before dry vegetation fueled their spread into nearby neighborhoods, the state news agency LANA said. Libya’s harsh summer heat and arid climate have made the southern and western regions vulnerable to frequent and devastating wildfires.
The latest blaze comes weeks after a similar fire struck the palm forests of Rebiana city in southeastern Libya on March 9. With rising temperatures and scarce firefighting resources, residents face an uphill battle against these fierce natural threats that scorch the land and threaten livelihoods.