A forest fire that began in the Afar region has spread into Eastern Tigray, burning over 24 hectares of land and threatening to engulf the ecologically vital Desa’a forest. Local authorities say the blaze remains active and beyond the capacity of community response efforts.
According to Hailay Gebramariam, Deputy Administrator of the Eastern Tigray Zone, the fire entered Tigray through Kala’amin Kebele in the Atsbi district, after igniting in Berahle district of the neighboring Afar region. “The fire is still burning and could expand further if not swiftly contained,” Hailay said.
The Desa’a forest, a key environmental zone for Tigray and neighboring areas, faces serious risk if the fire continues to spread. Local officials warn of “irreversible environmental and humanitarian impacts” should the blaze reach deeper into the forest.
Efforts by local residents to contain the fire have proven inadequate. In a formal request to federal authorities, the Tigray Regional Disaster Risk Management Commission appealed for urgent intervention, including aerial firefighting support. The letter cited strong winds, rugged terrain, and the rapid spread of the fire as major obstacles to ground-level containment.
Despite the appeal, regional officials report that no support has arrived from federal agencies. “We have reached out to the federal government for assistance, but no action has been taken so far,” said Gebru Kahsay, Deputy Head of the Tigray Communication Affairs Bureau.
With helicopters and professional equipment out of reach, the local population continues to battle the flames with limited resources. As fears grow over the potential destruction of the Desa’a forest, regional leaders are urging a coordinated national response to prevent a worsening crisis.