6 forest fire incidents reported in Poonch in 4 days

Poonch, Jan 14: Half a dozen forest fire incidents have been reported across Poonch district in last four days causing damage of forests on several kanals of area.

The incidents have happened in forest areas of Mendhar, Surankote and Mandi tehsil areas.

Three forest fire incidents have taken place at Nar, Bhata Dhurian forests of Mendhar sub division of Poonch causing damage to the dense forest in the area.

The fire flames initially erupted in Nar forests and later spread in adjoining areas, said officials.

Two fire incidents have occurred in the Nar forests since Wednesday, they said. They added that forest fire incidents have also happened at Bhata Dhurian forest adjoining Nar which is also a dense forest cover adjacent to Jammu Rajouri- Poonch national highway.

Alongside it, the officials said, two forest fire incidents have happened in Dehra Ki Gali forests of Surankote for last two days while one fire incident has also been reported in Mandi tehsil of Poonch.

Assistant Director Forest Protection Force, Masood Choudhary on being contacted said that presently fire flames in all the areas have been controlled from spreading further.

" At all locations, our staff, locals and police personnel worked hard and controlled the flames through fire fighting operation which was also assisted by army troops at Dehra Ki Gali." said Assistant Director.

Although causes of fire incidents in forests are mostly human acts but rapid spread of fire flames in forests in this winter season is due to severe dryness in forests, especially at forest bed, due to lack of rainfall.