Olive trees are among the most damaged by an extraordinary number of fires hitting one of the most important regions in Jordan for forestry and olive oil making.
In the Jerash province, farmers believe that an area of 6,000 dunum (almost 1,500 acres) has already been devastated.
While the destruction included oranges, lemons and other fruits, many centuries-old olive trees were caught in the firestorms.
The local authorities are at work to contain the damages. Imad Al-Ayasrah, director of the regional Agricultural authority, noted that containment procedures include plowing of dried herbs, creation of fire-control zones within the densest vegetation areas, deployment of a higher number of local patrols and stronger cooperation with all interested parties.
Al-Ayasrah has warned that the losses are severe and not limited to the current season, mostly because many of the destroyed acres were the home of ancient forestry trees as well as olive trees, almonds and other fruits whose production could take many years to recover.
While many fires occur accidentally due to higher-than-normal temperatures in the region, Al-Ayasrah said some come from negligence. Other causes include the particular rain season that brought thick weeds spreading for miles before being quickly dried up by the sun.
The authorities are asking all parties, from municipal forces to local farmers, to team up and follow the directions of the fire prevention plans that have been devised to face the present crisis and better face future fires.
For local growers, the firestorms represent a severe hit coming right after the losses caused by the halt to the commercial operations imposed by the government following the Covid-19 epidemic.
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