Murree Fire Engulfs Forests, AJK Burns

A devastating series of forest fires has swept through Murree and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), destroying thousands of trees and shrubs, with the flames intensifying after nightfall and posing a significant threat to the region's valuable flora.

The fires, which erupted in various locations including Palna Jungle in AJK's Haveli Kahuta, Murree's Ghorra Gali, Forest Range Committee, and Samli Jungle, have been burning out of control due to the lack of road links, hindering rescue efforts. In some areas, locals have been forced to take matters into their own hands, with residents in Palna Jungle putting out the fire themselves due to administrative delays. The blazes have destroyed valuable timber worth millions of rupees, and local authorities and firefighting teams are struggling to contain the fires.

In Murree, three wildfires have ravaged the area, burning across 49 areas, while in Dera Ismail Khan, a wildfire has engulfed the forests of Koh-e-Suleman, with flames visible from miles away. The fire is burning in four locations along the mountain's base, covering several kilometers in just a few hours, and is visible from the Tehsil Headquarters in Darazinda. The blaze poses a significant threat to the region's valuable flora, including olive, pine nut, nettle, and wild fig trees, and locals fear the damage could result in the loss of these precious resources.

As the situation continues to unfold, authorities are working to contain the fires and assess the damage. The Murree fire and other wildfires in the region have highlighted the need for improved emergency response systems and measures to prevent such disasters in the future.