TIMERGARA: Despite hectic efforts by local residents, police and civil defence teams the fire erupted in Dewlai forest of Talash could not be put out till late Sunday night.

Residents said the wildfire erupted in the dense forest two days ago had engulfed a large part of the jungle.

Eyewitnesses said that large trees of pines and other species were also damaged in the fire, adding though the intensity of the flame had been reduced yet it had not been fully controlled.

Divisional forest officer Ijaz ur Rehman along with firefighters also took part in the operation, but to no avail.

District police officer Arif Shahbaz Wazir told Dawn on contact that police teams had been sent to the site on the request of divisional forest officer, but due to lack of proper equipment they could not succeed in extinguishing the fire.

Owners of the forest have demanded of the government and district administration to make serious efforts to put out the fire.

Published in Dawn, July 8th, 2019