Wildfire rages in Killa Saifullah forest

QUETTA: A massive wildfire has erupted in the forests of Killa Saifullah district in Balochistan, with local authorities and the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) failing to contain the blaze.

The administration has now requested aerial support, including firefighting aircraft or helicopters, to bring the situation under control. According to Deputy Commissioner Saeed Ahmed Dummar, the fire broke out on Monday night in the mountainous area of Spin Ghar and quickly spread across a two-kilometer stretch. Initial firefighting efforts by the Levies, district administration, and local residents proved unsuccessful. Despite additional teams dispatched by PDMA equipped with fireballs and other firefighting gear, the fire continued to spread due to strong winds, incinerating valuable forest land and trees over a wide area. The Deputy Commissioner stated that a dam located 15 kilometers from the affected site could serve as a water source for aerial firefighting. In response to the district administration’s request, PDMA has initiated procedures to provide air support. However, as of Monday evening, the fire remained uncontrolled.