Fire ravages K-P mountain forests

SWAT:

Firefighting activity was underway in several districts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) to control the mysterious wildfires in the mountain ranges which have reduced millions of trees to ashes in recent days.

Around 110 firefighters had been deployed to extinguish the raging forest fires in Swat, Dir Lower and Shangla districts.

Official sources told The Express Tribune that forest fires had erupted in 63 places in Swat district alone since June 1 out of which 61 had been controlled completely after hectic efforts on the part of ill-equipped and ill-trained Rescue 1122 firefighters. But the blaze was still raging in two places and they were trying their best to put it out.

In Swat fires erupted in Matta, Sambat, Gostan Gat, Saido Shrif, Khwaza Khela, Matta, Fiza Bat, Islampur and other parts.

Fire erupted twice in some places mysteriously.

No one is able to come up with any scientific explanation but the forest department has lodged FIRs against the picnic-makers blaming them of making fire for cooking which spread to local forests.

Local residents told The Express Tribune that local residents start forest fires to get rid of scrap and excessive grass each year and it is a well-known fact and instead of creating awareness among the masses about it officials of the forest department are lodging FIRs against picnic makers.

“Uncontrolled wildfire is still raging at Amlok Darra and Snagota,” claimed the official, adding that seven fire engines, 200 firemen and 15 ambulances had taken part in the operation in the past 10 days.

By the same token, in Dir Lower the mountain forests of Kala Dag, Maidan are also on fire and firefighters have been deployed since midnight to control the blaze.

Fire is still spreading in the mountain of Buner in Chargarzai, Hassar, Shal Bandi and other places.

It may be recalled that dozens of locals have been booked on the charges of arson by the local police who have been arrested and put behind bars. They are accused of intentionally starting the fire and FIRs have been registered against them under Forest Act.

Chief Minister Mahmood Khan has already ordered an inquiry into the forest fires which is yet to be submitted to him. He has also ordered registration of FIRs against those responsible.

So far five people have been killed in the fire incidents including four people of one family in Shangla and one fireman of Rescue 1122. Dozens have been injured.

“The main problem is the lack of properly trained and well equipped force to deal with wildfires. You cannot use urban firefighters to deal with wildfires as both are of entirely different natures. You cannot take your fire engines to mountains with you. Different strategies are needed but the strategy to put forest fires under control is missing,” said an official on the condition of anonymity.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 11^th, 2022.