Yerevan mayor warns of sharp decline in air quality amid fires

Yerevan Mayor Tigran Avinyan has warned of a significant deterioration in air quality in the Armenian capital due to large fires in several parts of Armenia, including a major blaze near Chambarak.

Speaking at a city hall meeting on Monday, Avinyan stressed that toxins released by fires pose a far greater threat than construction dust despite the city’s ongoing efforts to curb pollution from building sites.

The mayor highlighted a long-standing problem of burning leaves and household waste in residential courtyards, warning of serious health risks for local residents, including children playing nearby.

Avinyan noted that air quality worsens during the colder months, when some households rely on firewood or other materials for heating. Reduced air circulation during this period traps emissions and when combined with widespread waste burning, results in pollution levels that are now “unhealthy or very unhealthy” for sensitive groups.

He urged Yerevan residents to stop burning leaves and rubbish, stressing that a single pile of smoldering yard waste can be “far more toxic and dangerous” than the dust generated by an entire construction project.