LOWER DIR: A forest fire raged in the mountains of Osakai, Ghazo and Barcharai areas here on the fourth day on Friday, destroying vegetation on a vast area.

The bushfire had started on May 28. A helicopter sent out by the Provincial Disaster Management Authority to put out the raging fire on Thursday and an army helicopter on Friday also failed to overcome the blaze.

According to eyewitnesses, the fire has engulfed about 10 kilometres radius of the forest range and was spreading with the passage of time.

Rescue 1122 district emergency officer told Dawn that the only solution to the problem was rains. He said the rescue workers, officials of the forest department, local volunteers, civil defence workers and personnel of Pakistan Army tried their best to extinguish the fire, but to no avail.

The Lower Dir administration meanwhile devised a strategy in consultation with all the stakeholders to cope with the situation.

Under to the strategy, additional deputy commissioner Tariq Hussain, Adenzai assistant commissioner Mohammad Daud Saleemi, the district forest officer, Rescue 1122 officials, district emergency in-charge, in-charge of civil defence and commandant 185 Wing Dir Scouts Brig Sanaullah supervised the fire extinguishing operation.

An official of the administration said 60 personnel of the Frontier Corps, 40 of Dir Scouts, 60 policemen, 50 Dir Levies officials, 400 volunteers of civil defence and locals, 30 officials of the wildlife department and 10 workers of Adenzai TMA took part in the operation. A helicopter of Pak Army also participated in the operation, but due to strong winds and thick smoke the operation was suspended.

The divisional forest officer said about 40 hectares of forest areas had been affected due to the fire, but most of the long trees were safe. He said the fire had escalated beyond human control due to the challenging terrains, windstorm and weather conditions, prompting the need for aerial firefighting assistance. The administration sought assistance from the PDMA for helicopter support.

The helicopters provided by National Disaster Management Authority and Pakistan Army took part in the operation, but despite several attempts, the effectiveness of aerial water trips was limited due to thick smoke, hindering visibility.

The official said coordinated efforts from multiple agencies and communities were needed to extinguish the forest fire.

Published in Dawn, June 1st, 2024