Iraq Battles Single Fire Incident in Basra Governorate Amidst Sparse Tree Cover

Iraq Battles Single Fire Incident in Basra Governorate Amidst Sparse Tree Cover

A recent fire incident in the Basra Governorate underscores the environmental challenges faced by Iraq, a country with a mere 0.04% tree cover extent of its total land area. Over the years, Iraq has experienced a fluctuating pattern of tree cover loss, with a notable decrease in recent years. The latest data reveals a single fire incident, highlighting the ongoing risk to the country's limited forested areas. Despite these incidents, there has been a net gain in tree cover, with an increase of approximately 0.02% since records began. This positive change, however, is overshadowed by the persistent threat of fires and the need for effective management to safeguard these critical ecosystems.