A massive wildfire has swept through the Bata Pahari forest in Malakand district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, engulfing nearly six kilometres of land as of Saturday.
The fire, which started two days ago, has rapidly intensified, reducing large swathes of forest to ashes. Strong winds in the mountainous terrain have fueled the flames, making firefighting efforts extremely challenging.
For safety, the Frontier Corps (FC) post in the area was evacuated as the fire approached. Teams from the FC, Levies, and Rescue services are currently on the scene, working to bring the blaze under control.
This incident is part of a troubling pattern, with around two dozen wildfires reported in the region’s mountain range over the past two months. Despite repeated outbreaks, the district administration and forestry department have struggled to contain the fires effectively.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation as efforts to control the wildfire are ongoing.
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