Iran - November 26, 2025 Iran is battling a fast-spreading wildfire in the Hyrcanian Forests of eastern Golestan Province, where rugged terrain and strong winds have made containment extremely difficult. Firefighting teams and volunteers have been working for days to slow the blaze, but authorities say access challenges continue to hinder progress. The Hyrcanian Forests—stretching along the southern coast of the Caspian Sea—are among the world’s oldest surviving woodlands. Estimated at over 50 million years old, they are home to around 3,200 plant species and host rare wildlife found nowhere else on Earth. Their unique ecological value earned them UNESCO World Heritage status in 2019. Officials warn that the ongoing fire poses a serious threat to one of the region’s most important biodiversity hotspots. Efforts to extinguish the blaze are intensified, but shifting winds and steep landscapes remain major obstacles. Further updates are expected as firefighting operations continue.