Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: Another forest fire erupted on Margalla Hills on Tuesday with firefighting efforts underway to extinguish the blaze before it spreads.
The fire brigade and the Capital Development Authority (CDA) responded promptly to the blaze and deployed to the area to extinguish the fire
A statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (MPO) stated that PM Shehbaz Sharif took notice of the fire in Margalla Hills. He directed the relevant authorities to mobilize quickly and start operations to control the fire and to ensure the safety of life and property.
The CDA reported that the fire broke out on Saidpur Range Trail 3 and spread towards Noor Pur Range Trail 5. It added that the process of extinguishing the fire was underway.
The fire on trail 3 was extinguished while efforts were still ongoing at the other site.
More than 65 firefighters are participating in the firefighting operation, the CDA said, adding that more teams were dispatched to expedite the operation. Under the direction of Chairman CDA Mohammad Ali Randhawa, DG Environment is personally supervising the operation.
The CDA added that the fire extinguishing process is being hindered due to strong winds and soaring temperatures.
Yesterday, three separate fires flared up across the Margalla hills, drawing the attention of the premier.
Military helicopters also joined the operation to extinguish the fires. The sudden outbreak was fueled by scorching temperatures and the fires swiftly spread across three locations.
Despite hours of joint efforts, the fire was not extinguished completely.
The PM commended the swift response and efforts of all departments concerned in controlling the Margalla Hills blaze. He appreciated the NDMA, Pakistan Army and the Islamabad administration for their “tireless efforts” in extinguishing the fire.
The premier also directed the relevant authorities to assess the damage caused to the forest and take measures for its restoration
Spread over 12,605 hectares, the Margalla Hills witnesses many fire incidents during summer every year.
On May 18, a similar fire erupted on Margalla Hills. Around 150 personnel from the CDA and the Ministry of Climate Change engaged in putting down the fire.
