Punjab Newsline | Solan
A massive forest fire has broken out in the hills of Kasauli, posing a serious threat to nearby forests, wildlife, and the environment. The flames spread rapidly and reached dangerously close to the Air Force Station in Kasauli, prompting the administration to seek immediate assistance from the Indian Army and Air Force.
Considering the gravity of the situation, an Indian Air Force Mi-17 helicopter was deployed on Wednesday to assist in firefighting operations. The helicopter has been carrying water from Sukhna Lake and conducting aerial water drops over the affected forest areas.
According to local residents, the fire started on Tuesday afternoon in the Jangeshu area after dry pine needles caught fire amid intense heat. The highly combustible pine litter acted like fuel, allowing the flames to spread rapidly across several kilometers within a short span. Strong winds and soaring temperatures further worsened the situation.
Meanwhile, another forest fire broke out in the Tara Devi forest area of Shimla, covering parts of the city in thick smoke. Smoke clouds were visible from several locations across the capital. Fire brigade and forest department teams managed to control the blaze in areas accessible by road, while monitoring continues in remote and difficult terrains.
Forest fires have become a growing concern in Himachal Pradesh, where an average of 5,000 to 10,000 hectares of forest land is affected every year. These incidents cause severe damage to forest resources, rare medicinal herbs, plants, and wildlife. According to forest department estimates, annual losses due to forest fires in the state exceed Rs 3 crore to Rs 5 crore.
