Fire destroys 100 palm trees in northern Basra orchard

BASRA – A fire broke out Friday night in palm orchards covering four dunams (about one acre) in the Al-Salem area of Al-Sadiq district, northern Basra, destroying around 100 palm trees. No casualties were reported, and Civil Defense teams arrived quickly to contain the blaze.

Basra’s Civil Defense Directorate said in a statement that its teams responded “with high professionalism and speed” to extinguish the fire, which spread through palm trees and dry grass.

Six fire engines, including support and specialized vehicles, participated in the effort. Crews were able to control the flames and prevent them from spreading to neighboring orchards and residential homes.

In late August, a fire destroyed 65 palm trees in Shilha Al-Hajjaj area in Al-Izaddin Salim district, also north of Basra.

In December 2024, the Basra Agriculture Directorate said the number of palm trees in the governorate had risen to more than 2.63 million, crediting government support for encouraging farmers to expand cultivation.

Prominent palm varieties in Basra include Barhi, Sayer, Bream, and Khadrawi, among others.