RAWALPINDI: A team of Army’s Quick Response Force (QRF) was called to assist the fire fighters in controlling the fire that broke out in Ghora Gali and Bastal forest in Murree at 6 pm on Wednesday was moving towards residential areas.

The firefighting operation was divided into five sectors and additional fire fighters were called from Rawalpindi including six fire fighting vehicles and an ambulance.

Besides the emergency services staff, the local residents were also trying to control the fire which was moving towards the houses. However, the roadside fire had been brought under control.

The fire has flared up again in the central area of the forest, which is being controlled with the help of firefighters.

According to the emergency services, the army’s QRF team was also participating in the firefighting operation as efforts were under way to control the fire.

The firefighters reached the central area of the forest on foot and were engaged in controlling the fire.

Later, the fire was brought under control from the populated area but efforts were underway to control the fire after reaching the top of the mountain.

Considering the situation the code ‘red alert’ was activated and a rescue command post was established.

Considering the intensity of the fire, additional firefighters were called from Rescue 1122 Rawalpindi and different techniques were being used to control the fire.

District emergency officers and district forest officers were present at the spot and were monitoring the firefighting operation. Senior command of the Pakistan army also visited the affected area and monitored the firefighting operation, which continued till the filing of this report.

Published in Dawn, June 13th, 2024