Photos show a centuries-old mountain tradition in the world’s highest polo ground

SHANDUR, Pakistan (AP) — Cheers echoed through the high mountains of northern Pakistan's Shandur Pass as horses thundered across the green expanse of the world’s highest polo ground, the Shandur Polo Field, at an altitude of about 3,700 meters (12,000 feet).

Wooden mallets sliced through the thin mountain air as thousands of spectators erupted in celebration.

Against snowcapped peaks and clear blue skies, Shandur once again became a meeting point of sport, tradition and culture over the weekend as the annual polo festival returned to the “roof of the world.”

On the sidelines, spectators watched freestyle mountain polo, a centuries-old tradition still practiced in Pakistan’s northern regions.

As play began, smiles, laughter and bursts of excitement filled the makeshift stands, where families, tourists and residents sat shoulder to shoulder along the rugged mountainside. Children waved flags, elders watched wrapped in warm shawls and groups of friends cheered as the fast-paced game turned the remote plateau into a lively celebration of community.

After more than a decade, Gilgit-Baltistan’s polo team lifted the Shandur Polo Festival trophy this week, defeating longtime rivals Chitral 6-5 in a thrilling final at the historic ground.

The victory triggered jubilant celebrations as players and supporters waved flags, chanted slogans and embraced after a closely contested match that lasted nearly an hour.

Often called the “game of kings,” polo is traditionally associated with royalty and elite circles worldwide. At Shandur, however, it reflects a different spirit, rooted in mountain communities, local pride and enduring cultural heritage. The freestyle version played here is considered one of the oldest forms of the sport still in existence.

The three-day festival was organized with support from the Pakistan Army, the provincial government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the regional Gilgit-Baltistan government. The closing ceremony was attended by Peshawar Corps Commander Lt. Gen. Omar Ahmed Bokhari, highlighting official backing for cultural heritage, sports and tourism in the region.

Beyond polo, the plateau transformed into a broader cultural festival featuring music, folk dances and local cuisine.

Ahmed reported from Islamabad.

Players of Gilgit-Baltistan region team and their supporters celebrate after their team won the final polo match against Chitral region team during the three-day annual Shandur Polo Festival in Shandur Pass, in the Ghizer district of Gilgit-Baltistan, northern Pakistan, Saturday, June 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Zubair Abbasi)

Spectators watch the final polo match between Chitral region team and Gilgit-Baltistan region team during the three-day annual Shandur Polo Festival in Shandur Pass, in the Ghizer district of Gilgit-Baltistan, northern Pakistan, Saturday, June 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Zubair Abbasi)

Spectators wait for start of the final polo match between Chitral region team and Gilgit-Baltistan region team during the three-day annual Shandur Polo Festival in Shandur Pass, in the Ghizer district of Gilgit-Baltistan, northern Pakistan, Saturday, June 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Zubair Abbasi)

Spectators eat food from a makeshift food stall at a temporary tent village set up for three-day annual Shandur Polo Festival in Shandur Pass, in the Ghizer district of Gilgit-Baltistan, northern Pakistan, Friday, June 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Zubair Abbasi)

A spectator washes a dish after preparing tea in his tent during the three-day annual Shandur Polo Festival in Shandur Pass, in the Ghizer district of Gilgit-Baltistan, northern Pakistan, Friday, June 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Zubair Abbasi)

Spectators listen to a folk music performance at a temporary tent village set up for three-day annual Shandur Polo Festival in Shandur Pass, in the Ghizer district of Gilgit-Baltistan, northern Pakistan, Thursday, June 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Zubair Abbasi)

Spectators dance in a temporary settlement made of tents during the three-day annual Shandur Polo Festival in Shandur Pass, in the Ghizer district of Gilgit-Baltistan, northern Pakistan, Thursday, June 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Zubair Abbasi)

Spectators rest inside their tent in the venue of the three-day annual Shandur Polo Festival in Shandur Pass, in the Ghizer district of Gilgit-Baltistan, northern Pakistan, Thursday, June 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Zubair Abbasi)

Spectators eat a meal at a makeshift food stall at a temporary settlement made of tents during the three-day annual Shandur Polo Festival in Shandur Pass, in the Ghizer district of Gilgit-Baltistan, northern Pakistan, Thursday, June 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Zubair Abbasi)

Players of Chitral region team, in red, and Gilgit-Baltistan region team, in blue, battle for the ball during the final match of the three-day annual Shandur Polo Festival in Shandur Pass, in the Ghizer district of Gilgit-Baltistan, northern Pakistan, Saturday, June 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Zubair Abbasi)

Spectators watch the opening match during the three-day annual Shandur Polo Festival in Shandur Pass, in the Ghizer district of Gilgit-Baltistan, northern Pakistan, Thursday, June 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Zubair Abbasi)

Spectators cheer during the final match of the three-day annual Shandur Polo Festival in Shandur Pass, in the Ghizer district of Gilgit-Baltistan, northern Pakistan, Saturday, June 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Zubair Abbasi)

A vendor waits for customers at his used clothes stall in the venue of the three-day annual Shandur Polo Festival in Shandur Pass, in the Ghizer district of Gilgit-Baltistan, northern Pakistan, Friday, June 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Zubair Abbasi)

Spectators play a game at a temporary tent settlement during the three-day annual Shandur Polo Festival in Shandur Pass in the Ghizer district of Gilgit-Baltistan, northern Pakistan, Friday, June 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Zubair Abbasi)

Spectators walk through a temporary tent settlement during the three-day annual Shandur Polo Festival in Shandur Pass, in the Ghizer district of Gilgit-Baltistan, northern Pakistan, Friday, June 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Zubair Abbasi)

A vendor waits for customers in his snack stall during the three-day annual Shandur Polo Festival in Shandur Pass in the Ghizer district of Gilgit-Baltistan, northern Pakistan, Friday, June 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Zubair Abbasi)

Tents are seen set up for the three-day annual Shandur Polo Festival in Shandur Pass, in the Ghizer district of Gilgit-Baltistan, northern Pakistan, Friday, June 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Zubair Abbasi)

A vehicle drives through a dusty track leading to the venue of the three-day annual Shandur Polo Festival in Shandur Pass, in the Ghizer district of Gilgit-Baltistan, northern Pakistan, Wednesday, June 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Zubair Abbasi)

A player reaches for the ball during the final polo match in the three-day annual Shandur Polo Festival in Shandur Pass, in the Ghizer district of Gilgit-Baltistan, northern Pakistan, Saturday, June 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Zubair Abbasi)

High winds drove a wildfire into an eastern Washington neighborhood, forcing the evacuation of about 1,500 people and destroying at least 15 homes, officials said Wednesday.

The Spokane County Sheriff's Office announced Wednesday that its forensic unit found what appeared to be human remains inside a home destroyed in the fire. A family member had requested a wellness check at the home because one of the residents had refused to evacuate and could not be reached, officials said in a news release. They were working to confirm whether authorities found human remains, and if so, identify who they were and how they died.

Authorities have not reported any injuries.

Many people living in the densely populated neighborhoods had to flee on a moment's notice — sometimes after an officer knocked on their door — leaving behind belongings and in some cases, critical medications, Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels said during a news conference.

People were being escorted Wednesday by an officer to their homes one-by-one to access those essential needs, but then they were taken back out, Nowels said.

The evacuation order for the 1,500 residents remained in effect Wednesday, said Chandra Fox, deputy director for Spokane County Emergency Management.

“Our concern is for increased winds Wednesday afternoon,” Fox said.

The blaze started just after noon on Tuesday and quickly moved up a hill, said fire district spokesman Robert Gray. Winds then shifted, sending flames into a neighborhood, Gray said. Spokane is about 280 miles (450 kilometers) east of Seattle near the border with Idaho.

John Leavell, battalion chief with the Spokane Valley Fire Department, was one of the first people to spot the fire. He said he was driving near Interstate 90 when he saw a column of smoke.

“As I approached it, I thought this is going to be a big event — this is going fast,” he said. “It looked like waves of fire going up the hill.”

He pulled into a driveway and found a house fully engulfed in flames, so he contacted surrounding agencies and the local fire district took over while his crew started building fire lines, he said. Leavell said he didn't know if they fire began at the house or quickly consumed it. The cause is still under investigation.

Fire crews from Washington state and Idaho attacked the fire from the ground and air, but it quickly grew to 225 acres (.35 square miles). It was 10% contained Wednesday morning, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. Avista turned off power for the area as the fire progressed for the safety of firefighters. It remained off Wednesday in some areas.

The weather was working in the firefighters’ favor.

Winds were lighter on Wednesday and were expected to decrease after sunset, according to Rachael Fewkes, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Spokane. The temperature also dropped a few degrees from the mid-80s on Tuesday to a high of 80 on Wednesday, she said.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency said Wednesday that they authorized the use of Fire Management Assistance Grant funds to help with firefighting costs for the Spokane blaze. The regional FEMA director said the fire had the potential to constitute a major disaster. Besides threatening homes, it also threatened a school, power lines, parks, businesses and wildlife.

FEMA said this was the first fire grant awarded this season to fight a Washington wildfire.

More than 32,000 fires have burned more than 3,900 square miles (10,100 square kilometers) so far this year in the United States, according to the fire center, which coordinates the mobilization of large-scale firefighting efforts.

That’s significantly higher than the 10-year average of just under 24,000 fires burning about 2,200 square miles (5,700 square kilometers) by early June, according to the fire center, even though fire activity has been relatively light in recent weeks.

Weather and fuel models that predict conditions like wind, lightning and how likely plants and other materials are to burn also show an increased danger of fires in multiple areas across the U.S. in coming weeks, according to the fire center. Some regions with critical conditions for fire include portions of California, and the Southwest, Great Basin and Rocky Mountain areas.

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Bellisle reported from Seattle. Associated Press journalists Rebecca Boone in Boise, Idaho, and Hannah Schoenbaum in Salt Lake City contributed reporting.

Fire crews battle the Upriver Fire on Tuesday, June 16, 2026 east of Spokane, Wash. (Spokane Valley Fire Department via AP)

Fire crews battle the Upriver Fire on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, east of Spokane, Wash. (Spokane Valley Fire Department via AP)

This photo provided by Spokane Fire District 9 shows smoke rising from the Upriver Fire burning northeast of Spokane, Wash., on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (Robert Gray/Spokane Fire District 9 via AP)

This photo provided by Spokane Fire District 9 shows the Upriver Fire burning northeast of Spokane, Wash., on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (Robert Gray/Spokane Fire District 9 via AP)