SWAT: The incidence of wildfire continued across Swat region as a fresh fire broke out at Babuzai in Kabal Tehsil and Barikot Tehsil on Sunday.
According to Rescue 1122 and the Swat district administration, over 68 incidents of wildfire in various areas of the region have been reported so fa.
According to the Swat district administration most of the wildfire incidents, since June 1st, were controlled while a full-fledged operation is underway to extinguish the wildfire broke out in the hills of Marghuzar valley, Malkidam, Gul Maira, Amlooktal, Sherkanai, Shingrai, Kandak Jahangir and Quanj Totano Bandai area.
“Along with the forest department officials, the personnel of Rescue 1122, Swat levies, police, volunteers of civil defense, civil society members and local community members are taking part in the fire-fighting operation,” Swat DC Junaid Khan informed.
He said that all the assistant commissioners and revenue staff were also taking part in the operation.
Member of the local community in Marghuzar area said that the fire on Marghzar hill was spreading fast towards other areas, burning down everything in its way from small plants to mountain bushes and pine trees.
“Both the government officials and civil society members have been working to control the fire on Marghuzar hill since last night but it could not be controlled yet and was spreading to Barikot hill,” said Abdullah, a local who is part of fire-fighting operation. Babuzai Assistant Commissioner Ashgar Surani said that the fire at Amlooktal was completely extinguished while 95 percent fire at Sherkhani mountain, 95 percent fire at Tortam of Marghuzar area was extinguished while the fires on the mountains of Kandak Jahangir in Barikot and Gul Maira in Manglawar areas were also completely controlled.
On the other hand, dry weather has been adding fuel to the fire incidents and people have been making announcements from mosques for collective prayers for the rain.
