ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — Nearly 15 dunams of land were scorched on Friday in a wildfire in Penjwen, a district on the Kurdistan Region’s borders with Iran. The fire, which had spread across the border with Iran, has been mostly extinguished in Penjwen, according to local ranger police. Mohammed Salih, head of ranger police department in the Garmk subdistrict of Penjwen district, told Rudaw that “a fire started between Karagal and Bnawshk villages early Friday, but our teams and those of civil defence were able to arrive there early and control most of the fire.” “More than 10-15 dunams of land has been burnt, mostly consisting of trees and moss. The loss is great because some of the burnt trees cannot grow again,” said Salih. The fire remains on the Iranian side of the border, because the area is contaminated with mines and an Iranian military base is located near it, added the law enforcement officer. It is not clear what caused the fire, but Salih suspected it to be arson because “some armed people were spotted in the area.” Several wildfires have taken place in the Kurdistan Region in summer due to scorching weather, suspected arson, and military activity. Wildfires erupted on two mountains in the Raparin administration on August 13.
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