Authorities battle forest fires in Margalla hills, Murree

ISLAMABAD/MURREE: Early on Saturday morning, wildfires broke out in the forests of Murree and the Margalla hills of Islamabad. Fortunately, firefighters were able to extinguish wildfires.

Authorities were able to mobilize and put out the wildfires in Margalla Hills and Murree despite the difficult terrain and unreachable areas.

The fires in Margalla hills broke out in Partal, and the villages of Gandhian and Kanijal. The Capital Development Authority (CDA), wildlife authorities, and firefighting teams were quick to respond.

In order to help combat fires, the authorities even sent out a Pakistan Air Force (PAF) chopper. Representatives from the Pakistan navy also took part.

The residents were also given the assurance that the fires were now “under control” by the Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Islamabad.

In a similar vein, wildfires broke out in the Murree forest next to the Murree Expressway. Atop the mountain, the fire slowly spread over many acres. Because of the hazardous terrain and darkness, rescue workers faced numerous challenges.

Earlier incidents this week, along with the prevalence of fires during summers, have spanned over 12,605 hectares. Collaborative efforts of the CDA and Ministry of Climate Change personnel contained these incidents.

Experts say that a few crucial steps must be taken in order to reduce the risk of wildfires over the long run. These include creating thorough fire control strategies, putting early detection systems into place, and improving surveillance capabilities.