Mountainous jungles in Nuristan districts catch fire

PARON (Pajhwok): Fire eruption in mountainous jungles in two districts of western Nuristan province injured 12 people, local officials said Wednesday.

AmanullahEnayat, chief of Noorgram district, told Pajhwok Afghan News that fire broke in Shaam Dara area of the district and Koorkal area of Duab district six days ago.

“People in Shaam Dara area engaged in an armed fight that led to fire eruption and in Koorkal area, nomads started a fire in order to cook something, but that also led to wildfire in the area,” he said.

He said that 12 people were injured in the fire that also destroyed dozens of hectares of jungles.

“No action has so far taken about the fire by the government, but local people are trying to extinguish it,” he said.

He said that the jungles contained pine trees, oak and other trees. “Nuristan governor had promised that he would send a fire fighter team to the area today to extinguish the fire,” he said.

Nuristan governor, Hafiz Abdul Qayum said that he had shared the problem with officials in Kabul and also held three meetings on the provincial level.

“The president is aware about the problem and he has directed the foreign ministry to seek the support of foreign countries in controlling the fire,” he said.

He said that the provincial administration also transferred some essential items to local people to assist them in dousing the fire.

Mds/ma