Forest fire in Oregon. PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons
The blaze had erupted on Friday on the mountain that stretches across Swabi and Mardan districts.
The Army Aviation helicopters were busy in extinguishing the fire, Inter Services Public Relations press release had said on Friday.
The helicopters made nine sorties carrying Bambi Buckets to overpower the blaze. The firefighting operation continued on Saturday.
Meanwhile, local government representative said fire had started on June 4, but the forest watchmen did not issue an alert.
Kalu Khan Villag Council’s General Councilor Khan Akbar said in a report filed at the Kalu Khan police station that three years ago the elders of the area had hired Ali, Awwal Zeb, Iftikhar, Idrees, and Hasan Jamal as watchmen.
The village council was paying Rs15,000 salary to each watchman to keep eye on the forest where valuable trees grow, Khan Akbar said.
On June 4, fire had erupted causing damage to expensive timber, but when asked, the watchmen said they had no knowledge of the incident, therefore these people should be held responsible for negligence, the councilor said.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 9th, 2019.
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