Seven areas in Iraq’s Nineveh hit by simultaneous fires, civil defense says

MOSUL, Iraq — Civil defense teams in Nineveh province brought simultaneous fires under control on Sunday after blazes broke out across seven areas, the provincial directorate said. The fires were concentrated in Kirawan, Mahallabiya, Rayhaniya, Jarn, Abu Shuwayla, Hamdaniya, Bartila and Zimar, according to a civil defense official, with most affecting farmland and dry grassland. High temperatures and wind helped spread some of the fires across wider areas, the official said, but coordinated work with local residents and supporting units prevented the flames from jumping to nearby fields. The directorate said all incidents were contained and that larger losses were avoided. Cooling operations continued in some locations to guard against reignition. Hazim Davudi, Nineveh’s deputy governor and head of the Harvest Committee, said during the day that several of the agricultural fires were caused by farmers burning stubble after the harvest.