Wildfires in Syria’s coastal Latakia province and parts of neighbouring Idlib have raged for a sixth straight day, destroying an estimated 100 square kilometres (around 14,000 hectares) of forest and farmland—more than three per cent of the nation’s remaining tree cover, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Strong winds, severe drought and unexploded ordnance left from the 14-year conflict have complicated efforts to contain what officials describe as the country’s worst blazes in years. Interior Minister Anas Khattab said on Tuesday that the situation is “increasingly under control,” though hotspots remain. He added that investigators have found no evidence the fires were deliberately set, but the possibility has not been ruled out. The blazes have displaced or otherwise affected about 5,000 people across 60 communities, prompting the precautionary evacuation of at least 25 families and seven towns in Latakia. Firefighters from the Syrian Civil Defense, backed by army and navy units, continue ground operations, while neighbouring Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey have sent teams and equipment. Disaster-management chief Raed al-Saleh confirmed Damascus has asked the European Union for additional assistance; Cyprus is expected to dispatch firefighting aircraft, and EU chargé d’affaires Mikhail Unmacht said Brussels stands ready to support further requests.