DOE Warns Against Starting Campfires

The Department of Environment has warned campers and locals against building fires in areas vulnerable to wildfires while the temperatures are high. In a statement on its website on Friday, DOE said farmers, shepherds and tourists "must refrain from starting fires in natural landscapes until further notice". The warning comes as there has been a noticeable rise in the frequency of forest fires, although the size of the areas burned has shrunk due to local authorities being better equipped. Forest fires inflict around 3.2 trillion rials ($85.3 million) in damages every year.