Pakistan, June 2 -- The Margallas are burning again, and the official relief that follows every containment operation is beginning to sound dangerously routine. This week, fire crews have had to respond to fresh blazes near the Golra and Bara Kahu ranges, while more than 20 fires were contained in the Murree and Rawalpindi forest divisions over four days of heat, dry air and shifting winds.

The authorities deserve credit where they have acted quickly. In Rawalpindi division alone, officials reported damage to 35 acres of private land in Peja, 27 acres in Baroota Kahuta, 25 acres in Java Malkiyat and 20 acres each in Kamkot and Kotli Sattian. Timely action in Lehtrar reportedly protected nearly 30 acres of forest land. In Islamabad, more ...