LOWER DIR: A joint operation of Rescue 1122, Forest Department and local volunteers is underway to control the forest fire that has been raging in the mountain ranges of Danoha area of Lower Dir district.
The fire is spreading rapidly due to strong winds and difficult terrain, while firefighting is facing severe difficulties due to limited resources. Fire details
According to local sources, the fire broke out in the forests of Danoha on Tuesday evening due to unknown reasons. Initially, it was limited to a small area, but due to strong winds and dry weather, it spread rapidly and reached an area of several kilometers. The fire has engulfed pine, fir and walnut trees. Rescue operation underway
Rescue 1122 Lower Dir personnel immediately reached the spot and started extinguishing the fire using fire bats. According to the district administration, more than 40 officials, forest guards and locals are busy extinguishing the fire using shovels, branches and water tankers. However, due to the mountainous and difficult terrain, it is not possible to reach the spot with heavy machinery and water bowsers.
A spokesperson for Rescue 1122 said, “Due to limited resources, we are facing difficulties in controlling the fire. We have only 2 fire tenders and a few water tankers, which are insufficient for this large area. A request for aerial operation with the help of a helicopter has been sent to the provincial government.” Environmental and financial damage According to the initial estimates of the Forest Department, the fire has reduced valuable forests on an area of about 150 acres to ashes. According to local landowners, their gardens and pastures are also being affected by the fire, which is causing them economic losses.
People from Danoha and surrounding villages are volunteering in large numbers to extinguish the fire. Local youth are staying on the mountains all night and trying to extinguish the flames. A local said, “We do not have modern equipment, but we are risking our lives to save our forests.” District administration’s stance
The Deputy Commissioner of Lower Dir said that additional resources and helicopter support have been sought from the provincial government immediately. He said that the operation will continue until the fire is completely extinguished. The district administration has appealed to the public to refrain from setting fire in the forests and report any suspicious activity to the administration immediately. Weather situation
According to the Meteorological Department, strong winds are likely to blow in the next 24 hours, which may make the firefighting process more difficult. According to experts, if an immediate aerial operation is not carried out, the fire could spread further and reach adjacent valleys.
Local people and environmental organizations have demanded that the government deploy modern firefighting equipment and teams on a regular basis to protect Dir’s forests so that such damage can be avoided in the future.
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