Rescuers battling latest fires in Margalla Hills

Islamabad: Multiple fires broke out again in Margalla Hills on Friday, triggering rescue and firefighting efforts.

More than 80 firefighters of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) are on the site to douse the flames from on the centre after the fire was controlled from the sides.

More than 80 firefighters were on the site in attempts to control the fire, the CDA said in a post on X. “They have encircled the fire from sides, controlled it from sides and now the efforts are concentrated on [the] centre-point,” it added.

According to CDA spokesperson Kamran Aslam, additional teams had departed to join the extinguishing efforts.

More than 80 firefighters are on site. They have encircled the fire from sides, controlled it from sides and now the efforts are concentrated on centre point. https://t.co/yDplpJlxLX

— Office of the Chairman CDA, Islamabad. (@CDAthecapital) May 31, 2024

Prime Minister’s Coordinator on Climate Change, Romina Khurshid Alam on Friday said the helicopters of Pakistan Air Force (PAF) and Pakistan Navy team were supporting the civic agencies along with Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) to extinguish glaring inferno at Margalla Hills National Park near sector E-9.

She said that there was fire at two places on Margalla Hills whereas it was of high intensity spiking up infront of E-9 Hills, a news release said.

The Chairman NDMA was contacted by the PM’s Coordinator whereas a Pakistan Air Force helicopter was dispatched to the affected area to put out the fire, she said. She added that the team of Pakistan Navy was also participating in the effort to control the fire alongside the team of Islamabad Municipal Corporation involved in the effort to smoother the fire.

The Sixth Aviation Squadron was also requested to send a helicopter, she said, adding, “The Ministry of Climate Change is in touch with all relevant agencies. I am monitoring the situation myself,” Romina Khurshid Alam said. A second helicopter was also dispatched by Pakistan Air Force to the affected area, she added.

“I am very grateful to NDMA and Pakistan Air Force and Pakistan Navy,” the PM’s Coordinator said.