current affairs Fire on Haldon IV Engulfs Forest

[Federation News Service]

HALDON IV — A devastating forest fire on the rural world of Haldon IV has destroyed many trees in the Grizon Forest. Police are investigating a potential lead on the possibility of a consciously lit fire.

Grizon Forest and region encompasses almost 20% of all the forest land on the entire east continent. Losing the forest is a giant ecological and biological problem. Dr Elmer Fak, renowned botanist and known for his knowledge of forest cycles and biology, leads the investigation. He has one of the largest seeds and plants collection on the planet, which might be an essential part of the reforesting effort, as these seeds and plants are almost all indigenous of the Grizon Forest.

“This enormous loss of so many trees and plants might become the cause of a catastrophic ecological crisis on Haldon IV. Apart from the loss of biodiversity, the Grizon forest was a big provider of oxygen,” Fak expressed during an interview. “We might experience a drop in glucose and oxygen levels for the coming years. Unless we reforest efforts soon, it might deal us a serious blow to habitability for colonists and animals on Haldon IV.”

According to Fak and his team, over 70% of all trees have suffered damage, while almost 30% of the trees are dying. While this is the third forest fire in a year, the previous were not nearly as destructive. Nearly 60% of the damaged trees were still healthy after the previous fires.

Fak has contacted many biologists and botanists to research ways of reforesting the Grizon forest without endangering local biodiversity. Fak’s extensive collection of seeds will certainly return non-invasive species and indigenous trees back to the region. But he expressed that this is only part of the solution. They will also introduce other non-indigenous species to help bring the massive volume of the Grizon forest back to its original levels.

During the fire, several rescue teams secured over 400 different animal species who inhabited the Grizon forest, undergoing treatment before their return to the forest to help the reforesting effort. Zoologist George Hackinson is already in contact with Fak to investigate the best ways to sustain the biodiversity of the Grizon forest. Many bird species and several insects will return to areas where the damage is the least dangerous to biological life, to allow for the bio-systems to yield to a natural state.

“We will work closely together to ensure wildlife in Grizon regains an ecologically safe and biologically diverse state,” Hackinson explained via subspace. “This task will take years, and perhaps a decade, to complete. Grizon forms such an important part of the entire biosphere of Haldon IV, so it is a necessity for us to complete our work.”

And the forest fire endangered not only wildlife but the densely populated colonies around Grizon were also in danger of the fire spilling over. Nearby colony towns of Fulmer and Kaltrim were evacuated prematurely because of the dangers of fire. Fire departments from cities around the forest worked all night to contain the fire inside the forest using forcefield fire suppressant technology available in drones and shuttlecraft. Despite efforts, the fumes from the fire caused almost 400 injuries, mostly from lung problems. Mayor Tal Kelma of the city of Graslom, the largest urban center in the Grizon region, expressed his concern for both wildlife and the civilian population in a press conference.

“The fire has not only caused many injuries to the people of Grizon but also has done fatal damage to our nature,” Kelma advised during a press conference. “The city council admires the work of the Graslom Medical Center, the animal rescue teams, and the fire departments of Grizon in the avoiding of further harm to both urban centres and nature.”

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