A fire that broke out in the Margalla Hills on May 25 has forced the authorities to close the hiking trails to the public.
The firefighting operation is being carried out in response to the fire that took place today, with more than 65 personnel deployed to contain the blaze, authorities said.
According to the district administration, the fire spread to three separate locations in the hills behind Islamabad’s F-5 sector, while strong winds hindered the efforts to bring the situation under control.
Rescue workers, firefighters and other emergency officials remained engaged in operations throughout the day to prevent the flames from spreading further across the forested area.
Officials said difficult terrain and changing wind conditions had slowed the response and made access to some affected locations challenging.
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The district administration said firefighting teams were working simultaneously at three separate points and expressed hope that the blaze would soon be contained.
As a precautionary measure, authorities temporarily closed all hiking trails in the Margalla Hills and urged residents and visitors to avoid the area until the operation had been completed.
Officials warned that continued movement on the trails could hinder emergency efforts and increase the risk to public safety, particularly if shifting winds caused the fire to spread.
The Margalla Hills, located on the outskirts of Islamabad, are a popular destination for hikers and tourists, especially during weekends and evening hours.
Authorities said monitoring of the affected areas was continuing and that further updates would be provided once the fire had been fully extinguished.
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