© Hirkan National Park

Iran has asked foreign governments to help contain a large wildfire in the Hyrcanian forests in northern Iran, after flames reignited in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed area in mid November. Local media reported on November 22 that the fire has burned through the ancient forests for several days. The blaze first broke out in early November, was temporarily brought under control and then reignited on 15 November, according to the official IRNA news agency. The Hyrcanian forests run for around 1,000 kilometres along the Caspian Sea coast in Iran and into neighbouring Azerbaijan. Mohammad Jafar Ghaempanah, Deputy to Iranian President, said that Iran had requested urgent assistance from friendly countries because domestic efforts could not keep the fire under control. UNESCO recognised the Hyrcanian forests as a World Heritage Site in 2019, describing them as being between 25 and 50 million years old and containing more than 3,200 plant species, including many rare and endemic tree species.