MUSCAT, OCT 7
Firefighting operations are continuing in Jabal Shams after a wildfire spread through the Al Hajar West Starlight Reserve, prompting a coordinated response involving several government authorities.
The Environment Authority said on Tuesday that it was working alongside the Royal Oman Police (ROP) and the Civil Defence and Ambulance Authority (CDAA) to monitor and tackle the blaze.
Teams were deployed after the initial fire was reported and managed to bring it under control, while remaining hotspots were extinguished. An initial assessment found that the fire was most likely caused by a lightning strike, with no signs pointing to human involvement.
The situation changed on Monday evening when flames broke out again in another part of the area and over a wider stretch. ROP Aviation was brought in to support the firefighting response, with operations continuing and Environment Authority teams monitoring developments on the ground. The ROP confirmed that its aircraft were supporting firefighting efforts at the natural reserve in the Jabal Shams area of Al Hamra.
Once the fire has been fully brought under control, the Environment Authority plans to carry out a detailed assessment of the site. The survey will check for any remaining hotspots, determine the extent of environmental impact and identify measures needed to safeguard the reserve and its vegetation.
Separately, authorities are also responding to a fire in the mountainous area of Wadi Al Sahtan in Al Rustaq. The CDAA said its Al Batinah South team was dispatched following a report of a fire at the highest point of the Wadi Al Sahtan mountains. The response is being coordinated with ROP Aviation and other relevant authorities.
Media personality Ali al Maqbali said firefighters, government agencies and local residents were taking part in the efforts, which are being carried out in difficult mountainous terrain. The CDAA said its teams would continue monitoring the incident in Wadi Al Sahtan until the necessary response measures have been completed.
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