‘Fire season’ ends with zero reported wildfires

Safety measures effectively prevent fire incidents in public forests

RAWALPINDI:

The forest department has officially ended the ongoing ‘fire season’ of summer in the entire Rawalpindi region, including the Margalla Hills and all four hilly tehsils— Murree, Kotli Sattian, Kahuta and Kallar Syedan.

This summer, stringent security and safety measures have effectively prevented fire incidents in the public forests. The fire season, initially scheduled from April 15 to July 15, was extended until July 31, but due to comprehensive control measures and substantial monsoon rains, it has now been officially terminated as of August 1.

However, the field staff of the forest department will remain deployed in government-owned forests and monitoring activities will persist as usual. It is important to note that the field camp offices of the officers in the official forests have been abolished.

Director of the Forest Department Abid Mehmood Gondal said the department implemented the most stringent measures this year to safeguard government forests. He added that the carrying of axes, knives, saws, matches, and cigarette lighters was strictly prohibited within these forest areas.

Furthermore, the department banned individual tourists or families from engaging in activities such as making fires, preparing barbecues, cooking food, making tea, and carrying gas cylinders during their picnics.

This measure was implemented due to incidents where fires caused by inadequately extinguished cooking fires resulted in the burning of bushes, dry leaves and eventually spreading to thick trees, leading to devastating fires.

During this period, families coming for recreational activities were strictly prohibited from lighting fires, while comprehensive measures were taken to clear the forests of dry leaves, branches and trees. Additionally, forest monitoring was enhanced through the installation of CCTV cameras and field employees were equipped with motorcycles, flashlights and walkie-talkies to bolster their efficiency.

As a result of these foolproof arrangements, government forests remained safeguarded from any fire incidents this year. Looking ahead to the year 2024, plans are already in place to implement even more robust and comprehensive measures to ensure enhanced safety and protection of forests.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, August 4^th, 2023.