Islamabad’s Margalla Hills Engulfed in Multi-Point Fire

News Desk 

Islamabad: A wildfire broke out at multiple points in the Margalla Hills on Monday, prompting a large-scale emergency response as authorities deployed more than 65 personnel to contain the blaze and temporarily shut all hiking trails for public safety.

According to officials, the fire erupted behind the F-5 sector of Islamabad and quickly spread to three separate locations in the hills, with strong winds complicating containment efforts and slowing down firefighting operations.

Rescue teams, firefighting units, and district administration staff remained actively engaged at multiple points, working to prevent the fire from spreading further into surrounding forested areas.

Authorities said the blaze is being tackled simultaneously at three sites, and while progress is being made, shifting wind conditions continue to pose serious challenges for ground teams.

“The situation is being brought under control gradually, but strong winds are affecting operations,” an official said, adding that teams are focused on containing the fire before it reaches more vulnerable zones.

Following the outbreak, the district administration immediately closed all hiking trails in the Margalla Hills as a precautionary measure and urged citizens to avoid visiting the area until the emergency is fully resolved.

Officials warned that continued movement in the affected region could increase the risk of fire spread, especially given changing wind patterns.

The Margalla Hills, a popular recreational destination in the capital, usually attract large numbers of hikers and visitors, particularly during evenings and weekends. However, authorities emphasized that public safety remains the top priority until the situation is fully stabilized.

Monitoring of the affected zones is ongoing, and officials said further updates will be issued once the fire is completely extinguished.