In the Zagros Mountains of Iran, environmental defenders face increasingly dire circumstances as wildfires continue to devastate protected areas. One such tragedy struck recently when Taghi Changalvaei, an environmental volunteer, ventured into the blaze to protect Khayiz, a designated conservation zone near Behbahan in Khuzestan province. Unfortunately, he did not return, highlighting the stark risks faced by locals who often take the initiative to combat these devastating fires.
A Community in Mourning
Changalvaei’s death is all too familiar for the Zagros communities, where local residents and environmental activists have repeatedly lost friends and loved ones due to seasonal wildfires. Reports indicate that since 2020, at least 27 individuals have lost their lives attempting to manage these flames. Many of these volunteers lack professional training and essential firefighting equipment, relying instead on makeshift tools to battle the elements. With the forests ablaze, they often feel compelled to act, knowing that help may not arrive promptly enough to save their invaluable ecosystem.
The Ongoing Fire Crisis
The Zagros Mountains extend across approximately 1,600 kilometers, housing oak woodlands that cover around six million hectares—about 40 percent of Iran’s forested landscape. These forests are vital for rural economies, water regulation, and soil preservation. However, factors such as illegal logging, overgrazing, prolonged drought, and climate change have led to a significant decline in oak populations. Consequently, each summer, the region faces an escalating crisis as wildfires exacerbate the situation, making confinement increasingly difficult. Recent incidents, notably a blaze that ignited on Badil Mountain, have revealed the limitations in aerial firefighting resources.
Contributing Factors to Wildfires
The interplay of natural and human-induced factors contributes to the intensity of these fires. Seasonal rains nourish the terrain, but by summer, that moisture-drenched vegetation transforms into dry fuel, ready to ignite at the slightest spark. One significant issue lies in grazing practices that have historically helped manage vegetation. Recent governmental measures aimed at reducing grazing pressure may unintentionally leave more accumulated dry grass and brush. While limiting livestock presence seeks to protect forest health, experts warn that this must be balanced with effective vegetation management.
Furthermore, multiple factors interact to create a perfect storm for wildfires: climate change, arson, human negligence, and inadequate firefighting infrastructure. Effective wildfire management will need to consider these multifaceted challenges to minimize the risk of future blazes.
Increasing Fires and Decreasing Capacity
Statistics indicate a troubling trend in wildfire frequency and intensity in Iran. In the Iranian year beginning in March 2021, around 21,000 hectares of forest were lost to fire; by March 2024, that number escalated to approximately 27,000 hectares. As of November 2025, more than 2,300 fires resulted in the burning of approximately 46,000 hectares of land. This increase correlates with financial struggles within Iran’s firefighting sector, where currency devaluation has led to a stark decline in available resources.
With the rising number of fires and diminishing firefighting capabilities, the outlook remains grim. Khayiz’s fires have been contained, but for those who have lost loved ones like Changalvaei, the pain lingers. Without significant improvements in policy, funding, and firefighting resources, the coming summer may bring yet another cycle of tragedy and loss, as community members armed with little more than basic tools strive to protect their vital forests from the relentless flames.