Armenia has extinguished one of its most severe wildfire emergencies in recent years, after major fires swept across multiple regions and threatened the outskirts of Dilijan, Navur, and areas near the Lernayin Hayastan Resort. Over several days, thousands of rescue workers, firefighters, eco-patrol officers, police units, and volunteers were deployed nationwide, supported by military aircraft and hundreds of units of equipment. Authorities report that all wildfire hotspots have now been put out following large-scale operations, while emergency services remain on heightened alert. Firefighter-rescuer Service Sergeant Taron Simonyan died in the line of duty after a rescue service vehicle accident in Tavush.
Main Wildfire Origin and Nationwide Response
The wildfire crisis began on November 21, when a major fire broke out in dry grasslands between the villages of Chambarak and Ttujur in Gegharkunik Province. Strong winds and steep terrain allowed the flames to spread quickly across the rugged landscape, prompting a growing emergency response.
The first major alerts involved fires in the Martuni area, the Vardenyats Pass, Zolakar, Lchashen, and nearby territories. Firefighter-rescuers, remaining faithful to their professional duties and mission, immediately began firefighting operations. By November 25, they had fully isolated the fires in those areas, preventing the spread of flames to forested zones and residential communities.
An operational headquarters was formed under the leadership of Kamo Tsutsulyan, Director of the Rescue Service and Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs. Communication with the media was carried out on-site by Narek Sargsyan, Press Secretary of the Minister of Internal Affairs and Head of the Public Communication and Awareness Department, who provided operational updates. Official government platforms regularly shared information on the evolving situation.
According to earlier official reports, the response initially involved 1,194 rescue personnel, 16 primary firefighting units, 88 auxiliary units, staff from the police and the Eco Patrol Service, and residents of nearby villages. As the scale of the fires expanded, more than 2,700 rescue service personnel, employees of the Ministry of Environment and the Eco Patrol Service, Ministry of Internal Affairs police units, representatives of state and local government bodies, and community residents took part in large-scale operations between November 21 and 27. In total, 65 primary units of equipment and around 260 auxiliary units were deployed.
A Ministry of Defense helicopter supported the operations, first conducting reconnaissance and water-dropping missions that totaled 23 flights, and ultimately completing 109 aerial reconnaissance and firefighting sorties across the affected regions.
Fires Approach Dilijan, Navur, and Resort Area
As the fires spread, smoke became visible over Dilijan, a resort town about 100 kilometers north of Yerevan, as flames approached the forested hillsides. Photographs shared on social media showed large fires in the wooded hills earlier in the week.
The fire also approached the village of Navur and moved near the Lernayin Hayastan (Mountainous Armenia) Resort. Local authorities urged residents to remain calm and emphasized that hundreds of personnel were engaged in firefighting efforts.
Dilijan Mayor David Sargsyan posted a video saying active operations were underway and that additional forces would join in the morning. He said the situation was not as severe as some reports suggested.
Firefighting operations were carried out in areas near Navur, the forest along Dilijan’s serpentine roads, and close to the resort complex. Fires recorded near the Dilijan serpentine and in the vicinity of the Lernayin Hayastan Resort were extinguished. Firefighter-rescuers managed to prevent the fire from spreading toward the resort area and residential homes. Authorities said reports circulating on social media that animals had been harmed as a result of the fires were false.
Interior Ministry Updates on Hotspots and Fire Behavior
At the height of the crisis, four wildfire hotspots remained active in the forests around Dilijan. Interior Ministry spokesman Narek Sargsyan said no new spread of fire had been recorded in Tavush Province and that crews had managed to prevent further expansion.
“As of 6 a.m., firefighting operations continue at the same four locations in Tavush. We have not registered any cases of additional spread,” he said at the time. “The situation is under control, and there are no newly ignited fires at this moment.”
Sargsyan added that even in forested zones the main burning areas were grasslands rather than trees. “The trees are mostly smoke-damaged, not fully burning,” he said, noting that crews were working to prevent the fire from reaching dense forest areas.
“Firefighting is being carried out in terrain that is very difficult to access. Our rescuers are doing extremely heavy and important work. They carry specialized equipment on foot because vehicles cannot reach these areas,” he said. He also confirmed that equipment and personnel were sufficient.
Local Operations in Tavush and Air Support
Authorities reported that 669 firefighter-rescuers, 215 eco-patrol officers and ecologists, and local residents took part in operations in Tavush. A military helicopter conducted 22 water-drop and reconnaissance flights in the area near Dilijan and Navur.
Earlier in the week, the Rescue Service announced that the wildfire in the Kazachi pastureland near Dilijan had been contained. Two wildfire hotspots in Gegharkunik were extinguished, while remaining fires were contained and gradually brought under control.
All Wildfire Hotspots Extinguished
In its latest statement, Armenia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs confirmed that, as a result of large-scale operations, all wildfire hotspots across the country have been extinguished. Fires that had broken out in vegetated and grassy areas of Gegharkunik, Tavush, Lori, Shirak, Kotayk, Aragatsotn, and Syunik between November 21 and 27 have been fully put out.
Officials said that in addition to extinguishing the fires, crews prevented the spread of flames toward settlements, vital infrastructure, and forested areas. To avoid possible flare-ups, the Rescue Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs continues to carry out monitoring and supervision in affected zones. Emergency services remain on heightened alert to prevent new outbreaks.
Rescuer Killed in Line of Duty
On November 26, firefighter-rescuer Service Sergeant Taron Simonyan of the Rescue Service was killed while performing his duties. A rescue service vehicle from the Lori Regional Rescue Department’s Vanadzor Firefighting and Rescue Squad No. 2 was involved in an accident during firefighting operations in Tavush. Four other firefighter-rescuers were taken to a medical center. Their lives are not in danger.
The Rescue Service expressed condolences to Simonyan’s family, relatives, and colleagues, noting that he died in the line of duty.
Misinformation and Public Safety Warnings
The Ministry of Internal Affairs noted that during the emergency, unverified and in some cases panic-inducing information circulated in the media and on social networks. Some posts claimed that the Rescue Service was not acting quickly enough, that equipment was insufficient, or that the situation was not under control. According to the Ministry, firefighters, working in cooperation with partner agencies, acted professionally and promptly, extinguishing the fires within days, preventing further spread, and avoiding irreversible damage.
Authorities continue to urge the public to strictly follow fire safety rules, remain vigilant, and avoid any activity that could spark new fires. Residents are asked to call 911 immediately if they notice smoke or fire.
Officials have said the wildfires were fueled by unusually dry and warm weather. Sargsyan added that Armenian police are taking measures to determine whether other factors, including possible arson, may have contributed.
