A fire that broke out in the Margalla Hills on May 25 forced authorities to temporarily close all hiking trails to the public.
Authorities said more than 65 personnel were deployed to contain the blaze, which spread to three separate locations in the hills behind Islamabad’s F-5 sector.
According to the district administration, strong winds, difficult terrain and changing wind conditions slowed the firefighting operation and made access to some affected areas challenging.
Rescue workers, firefighters and other emergency officials remained engaged throughout the day to prevent the flames from spreading further across the forested area.
The district administration said firefighting teams were working simultaneously at three separate points and expressed hope that the fire would soon be contained.
As a precautionary measure, authorities urged residents and visitors to avoid the Margalla Hills until the operation is completed. Officials warned that movement on the trails could hinder emergency efforts and pose risks to public safety, especially if shifting winds caused the fire to spread.
The Margalla Hills, located on the outskirts of Islamabad, are a popular destination for hikers and tourists, particularly during weekends and evening hours.
Authorities said monitoring of the affected areas was continuing and further updates would be provided once the fire had been fully extinguished.
