Dehradun: Forest fire incidents continue to occur across parts of Uttarakhand's Garhwal and Kumaon regions, with the latest blazes breaking out in the Amri forest beat of Champawat and the Terai Central Forest Division in Nainital district. Forest officials said that some of the alerts received in recent days pertained to non-forest areas as well, while rising temperatures continue to trigger sporadic fire incidents.
According to forest department data, at least 571 forest fire incidents took place during the summer fire season, affecting nearly 482 hectares of forest land. The fires have also claimed the lives of two forest fire workers engaged in firefighting operations. On Wednesday, Sohan Singh Rawat lost his life in the line of duty while battling a forest fire in Uttarkashi. Earlier, on May 20, Rajinder Singh Negi, a forest fire watcher in Chamoli, died while extinguishing a blaze.
The Garhwal region recorded the highest number of incidents, with 403 fires affecting around 344 hectares of forest area. In Kumaon, 113 incidents damaged nearly 93 hectares, while 55 fire incidents in areas under the wildlife administration affected about 47 hectares, according to official data. The Forest Survey of India (FSI) has issued nearly 7,000 forest fire alerts to Uttarakhand since the onset of the fire season in February. In the last two days alone -- Wednesday and Thursday -- the FSI sent around 20 fire alerts to the state.
An analysis of forest fire data by the department shows that the maximum area was affected in the Badrinath Forest Division, where about 56 hectares were damaged, followed by the Kedarnath Wildlife Division (41 hectares), Alaknanda Soil Conservation Division (40 hectares) and Pauri Forest Division (40 hectares).
Forest officials said that around 5,600 forest fire watchers and 6,000 departmental personnel are working round the clock to respond to fire incidents as soon as information or alerts are received. Efforts are also underway to activate fire hydrants and implement forest fire management plans across divisions to improve preparedness and response, they added.
The ongoing forest fires highlight the challenges faced by Uttarakhand during the summer fire season. The state has been grappling with rising temperatures and dry conditions, which have exacerbated the spread of wildfires. The forest department continues to monitor the situation closely and deploy resources to contain the blazes. Local communities and fire watchers remain on high alert to prevent further damage to the region's rich biodiversity.
