KOHLU: A massive wildfire has erupted in the Kohlu district of Balochistan, inflicting severe damage on the region’s already sparse forest cover and sparking widespread alarm among residents.
The blaze originated in the Koh Jandran forest and rapidly expanded across a vast area, fueled by arid conditions and gusty winds that accelerated its spread and complicated containment efforts.
Forest Department officials confirmed that a substantial section of the woodland has been ravaged, with countless trees, shrubs, and vital ecosystems reduced to ash.
In a province where natural forests are scarce, this destruction represents a profound ecological loss.
These green pockets serve as critical habitats for wildlife and play an essential role in preserving environmental stability and soil moisture.
The firefighting response has been severely hampered by inadequate resources.
Local teams lack sufficient modern firefighting vehicles, water tankers, specialized equipment, and trained personnel to tackle a blaze of this magnitude.
Forest guards, supported by community volunteers, have been working tirelessly to create firebreaks and limit the spread, but the absence of advanced tools has made progress painfully slow.
The fire poses an immediate threat to wildlife, with many animals likely displaced, injured, or perished in the inferno.
Post-fire risks include soil degradation, increased vulnerability to erosion, and long-term desertification—consequences that hit particularly hard in an arid region like Balochistan where vegetation is already limited.
Communities in the area are deeply anxious about the aftermath.
Many families rely on these forests for fodder, firewood, and supplementary income; the loss threatens their livelihoods and could deepen economic hardship.
Residents are calling on provincial and federal authorities to urgently deploy additional support, including aerial assistance if necessary, to extinguish the flames before further damage occurs.
This tragic event underscores the urgent need for improved disaster preparedness, investment in firefighting infrastructure, community-based early warning systems, and stronger forest conservation policies across Balochistan.
Protecting the province’s remaining natural assets must become a top priority to prevent similar catastrophes in the future.
