Extensive Fire Breaks Out in Reed Beds of Rudshur, Parand; Thick Smoke Spreads as Environmental and Safety Impacts Are Assessed

An extensive fire broke out at midday on Sunday in several sections of the reed beds along the Rudshur River on the outskirts of Parand, leading to the spread of a large volume of thick smoke across the city’s sky. The incident raised public concern and caused a temporary decline in air quality in the area.

According to a Mehr News Agency correspondent, eyewitnesses reported that smoke from the burning vegetation darkened parts of Parand’s sky and reduced visibility. Following the incident, operational teams from the Parand Fire Department and Safety Services were immediately dispatched to the scene, and firefighting operations are still underway.

Vahid Joudaki, Head of the Parand Fire Department and Safety Services, confirmed the incident and stated that the fire started simultaneously at several points. He noted that the swampy terrain and difficult access to the fire’s sources have complicated and slowed down firefighting operations, posing technical and safety challenges for responders.

Referring to initial assessments, Joudaki said that the possibility of the fire being deliberate is under consideration, adding that similar incidents have occurred in the Rudshur area in previous years. Such events, he emphasized, not only cause environmental damage but also endanger the safety of emergency response personnel.

From an HSE perspective, experts warn that burning reed beds can lead to the destruction of natural habitats, increased air pollution, and the release of harmful gases and particulate matter. If prolonged, these conditions may pose respiratory health risks to residents, particularly to firefighters and emergency workers operating at the site.

In conclusion, the Head of the Parand Fire Department stressed that despite the heavy smoke and resulting pollution, the fire does not pose a direct threat to residential areas, as the embankments surrounding the Rudshur River have prevented the flames from spreading toward the urban zone. Firefighting forces will remain on site until the fire is fully contained and the area is secured.