Massive fire breaks out in Azerbaijan’s Gazakh, containment efforts underway

A large-scale fire has erupted in Azerbaijan’s Gazakh district, affecting multiple villages and threatening both forested and residential areas near the border with Armenia.

According to the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the blaze initially broke out in open fields in the villages of Bala Jafarli and Khanliglar, prompting an immediate response from state emergency services, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

“The 112 hotline received information about a fire in an open area in the villages of Bala Jafarli and Khanliglar in Gazakh district. The State Fire Service of the Ministry of Emergency Situations and helicopters from the aviation unit were immediately dispatched to the scene,” the ministry said in an official statement.

Thanks to swift action by emergency crews, the fire in Bala Jafarli was successfully contained before it could spread to a wider area. Preliminary assessments indicate that the fire scorched approximately 50 hectares of dry grass and shrubs, but nearby homes and forested areas were protected from damage.

Efforts to extinguish the blaze in the Khanliglar area are ongoing, with additional ground and aerial firefighting resources deployed to the scene.

The fire had spread beyond Khanliglar to engulf parts of the villages of Bala Jafarli, Barkhudarli, and Sofulu, including forest and open lands.

Authorities noted that the affected zone lies along the border with Armenia, adding a layer of geopolitical sensitivity to the situation.

Emergency response teams continue their efforts to bring the fire fully under control. Further updates are expected as the situation develops.

By Vafa Guliyeva