TEHRAN — Iran is confronting one of its worst environmental crises in decades as wildfires continue to devastate its ancient Hyrcanian forests. Spanning six counties in the northern Mazandaran and Golestan provinces, the fires have engulfed much of the vast woodlands' ecosystems and wildlife, according to state media reports. 

Despite initial announcements about containment, flames persisted on Tuesday following two weeks of failed attempts to bring them under full control.

Stretching roughly 850 kilometers along the southern Caspian coast and northern slopes of the Alborz Mountains, the UNESCO-listed Hyrcanian forests are estimated to be 25-50 million years old, making them one of the planet's last temperate broadleaf ecosystems.

The Iranian Red Crescent Society confirmed that operations to control the blaze in the Elit region of the forests are ongoing. Babak Mahmoudi, head of the organization, said the fires were first reported by local residents on Nov. 10. At least five among the deployed personnel have been injured, according to the official cited by Tasnim News Agency.