A significant fire erupted simultaneously at two separate locations within Islamabad’s Margalla Hills, specifically in the forested areas close to Trail Three and the Botanical Garden. The incident quickly mobilized emergency response teams, with over 100 firefighters dispatched to tackle the rapidly spreading flames.
At the Botanical Garden site, around 55 personnel are actively engaged in firefighting efforts, while more than 50 firefighters are stationed near Trail Three. These teams are working relentlessly to contain the blaze, which has been fueled by intense heat and dry weather conditions, factors that pose a risk of further spreading the fire.
In a notable update, the Capital Development Authority’s Director of Environment, Irfan Niazi, expressed cautious optimism that the fire could be fully controlled within the next one to two hours. However, officials remain vigilant due to the challenging environmental conditions that could exacerbate the situation.
As a safety precaution, all hiking trails in the Margalla Hills have been temporarily closed to prevent any civilian casualties or interference with firefighting operations. The district administration has strongly advised the public to avoid the area until the fire is completely extinguished, assuring that containment efforts are progressing steadily.
