'High risk' forest fire along LoC in Gurez 'controlled'; mopping operation on

​Bandipora, 2 Dec: The 'high risk' forest fire which had been raging along the LoC in the Gurez valley of north Kashmir has been brought under control, officials told Greater Kashmir on Tuesday.

​"The fire, which had been raging for days in Gurez, has been brought under control," DFO Bandipora, Waseem Farooq Mir said.

​He said the forest, police, and civil authorities are still stationed in the forest area conducting a "mopping operation" to ensure no half-burnt residue is left, which may spark the fire again.

​The fire, as per officials, had spread to twenty to thirty hectares, which includes forest surface area.

​The officials said being an area close to the LoC made the operation complex as they had to take the Army into confidence. The officer, however, offered gratitude to all those who helped douse the fire.

​He said besides the major fire along Bagtore in Gurez, there were a few more small fires in the Bandipora forest area, all now under control.

​"There is no forest fire as of now in Bandipora," he said.

​The officer said Bandipora is vulnerable to forest fires and that they are on high alert.

​He noted that the fires were erupting due to high fuel load besides the weather being dry.

​The officer said those going to forests should exercise caution and not light fires in forests and wherever possible take permission from concerned range officer or DFO.