Fire Hits Forest in Central Georgia

Update 23.08.2017: The fire in Ateni Gorge forest has been localized. The information was released by the Ministry of Defense (MoD) of Georgia.

The ministry reports that servicemen from the MoD and the Interior Ministry were working all night at the site with the firefighters and managed to localize all pockets of the fire.

Defense Minister Levan Izoria instructed several dozen military servicemen to remain on the territory and carry out monitoring of the area within two days in order to prevent eruption of new pockets.

A special staff of the Georgian government has also released a statement regarding the incident, saying the fire has been wholly localized.

Fire broke out in the forest near Zemo Boshuri village, Ateni Gorge, Central Georgia on August 22. It has already destroyed 2 hectares of forest.

Despite the hard work of fire brigades, the fire strengthened due to the wind at the end of the day.

The Emergency Situations Management Agency states that the area is rocky and it is hard for the firefighters to work there.

At the order of the Prime Minister of Georgia, Giorgi Kvirikashvili, heavy equipment and live force has been sent to the fire site in Ateni Gorge.

Zurab Alavidze, the Minister of Regional Development and Infrastructure, stated that if needed, helicopters from Borjomi gorge will be allocated to the Ateni Gorge.

“I think the Ministry of Defense will help us to extinguish the fire. If necessary we will send helicopters from Borjomi,” he added.

By Thea Morrison