Malakand: A series of wildfires has swept across the mountainous regions of Malakand district in recent days, severely damaging forests and triggering widespread concern among local communities.
While last year saw around 40 forest fire incidents in the district, the frequency and intensity of fires this summer have already escalated alarmingly with the onset of the hot season.
Rescue 1122 teams, in coordination with the Forest Department, Wildlife Department, Levies, and local volunteers, have managed to extinguish fires in the hilly areas of Heibatgram and Batkhela Bata.
However, efforts are still underway to control an ongoing blaze in the Jabban mountains of Dargai. Personnel from Rescue 1122 Malakand and Mardan, along with wildlife and forest officials, are actively engaged in a joint firefighting operation to prevent further environmental degradation in the area.
Simultaneously, a sudden wildfire erupted in the mountainous region of Totakan Peer Khel, prompting a swift response from Rescue 1122 Malakand, whose teams are currently attempting to contain the flames.
In recent days, multiple fire incidents have been reported across various tehsils of the district. Affected areas include Heibatgram and Bata Batkhela in Tehsil Batkhela, Allah Dhand, Zulm Kot, and the mountainous zones of Thana Nowgaran in Tehsil Thana Baizai, as well as Jabban in Tehsil Dargai. These fires have not only damaged forest resources but also posed threats to wildlife and nearby communities.
Currently, joint firefighting operations are underway at three active locations — Heibatgram, Bata Batkhela, and Jabban — involving Rescue 1122, the Forest and Wildlife departments, Malakand Levies, and local volunteers. Authorities report facing significant challenges due to difficult terrain, strong winds, and dry weather conditions, all of which are hampering their firefighting efforts.
Public anxiety is growing in response to the increasing number of wildfires. This concern recently culminated in a protest held on Sunday at Thana Chowk, led by former Awami National Party (ANP) provincial assembly candidate, Izhar Khan. Addressing the protestors, Khan criticized the administration’s inaction and said, “Our mountains are burning while the authorities remain silent spectators. Timely action could have prevented this scale of destruction.” He demanded a transparent investigation into the fires and strict legal action against those responsible — whether due to negligence or intentional acts.
Following mounting public pressure and continued fire incidents, the district administration imposed a strict ban on activities that could lead to fires. Under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), the use of fireworks, campfires, smoking, barbecues, and the transport of flammable materials in forested areas across Malakand has been prohibited. Deputy Commissioner Hamid ur Rehman warned that violators will face stern legal action under Section 188 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).
Commenting on the situation, Rescue 1122 Malakand spokesperson Sadiq Khan said their teams are engaged in non-stop firefighting efforts at various locations. “Some of the areas are extremely difficult to access, which is causing delays. But we are doing everything in our power to bring the fires under control,” he stated.
Khan also emphasized the dangers posed by inaccessible routes and the lack of vehicle access in hilly areas. He appealed to the public to report fire incidents immediately and to refrain from reckless behavior such as starting fires deliberately.
Environmental science lecturer Tahir Ali expressed serious concerns over the recurring nature of these fires, stating, “Forest fires severely impact the local ecosystem.” He questioned why fires break out so frequently in Malakand’s mountains each summer, suggesting that the pattern raises serious concerns.
According to him, these repeated wildfires not only increase air pollution but also accelerate climate change. He urged the government to implement robust forest protection measures, including public awareness campaigns and the deployment of modern monitoring systems. “If immediate steps aren’t taken, the environmental damage could become irreversible,” he warned.
As wildfires continue to threaten Malakand’s natural landscape, coordinated emergency response efforts are being intensified. Still, the call for long-term preventive strategies is growing louder, both from experts and the general public.
