A wildfire in the Sitak sub-district has damaged grassland, pasture, and native trees, prompting the Sulaymaniyah Directorate of Forest and Environment Police to release updated information on the incident and recent fire trends across the governorate.

Wildfire Erupts in Mara Rash Village

The Sulaymaniyah Directorate of Forest and Environment Police announced that a major wildfire broke out within the boundaries of Mara Rash village in the Sitak sub-district.

Units from the Sitak Forest Police Station responded immediately and, with the assistance of local residents, successfully brought the fire under control. Before it was extinguished, however, the blaze destroyed approximately 20 dunams of grassland, pasture, and native wild trees.

Recent Fire Incidents

The wildfire comes just days after a similar incident on July 13, 2026, in Zhazhla village in the Mawat district.

In that case, civil defense teams and local volunteers also succeeded in containing the fire before it spread further, limiting the extent of the damage.

According to official Civil Defense statistics, the number of fire incidents in Sulaymaniyah has declined significantly in recent years.

Authorities recorded 4,601 fire incidents in 2023, followed by 3,712 in 2024. During the first ten months of 2025, the number fell to 1,264, marking a record decline.

Authorities Warn of Common Fire Causes

Civil Defense officials said one of the leading and most dangerous causes of recent fires has been the prolonged charging of mobile phones.

According to the authorities, leaving devices connected to chargers for extended periods can cause electrical short circuits, leading to fires in homes and public places.