A massive forest fire that broke out in the hills of Himachal Pradesh’s Kasauli region has triggered large-scale firefighting operations, with an Indian Air Force MiG-17 helicopter deployed to control the blaze spreading across forest areas.
Authorities said the helicopter was being used to lift water from Chandigarh’s Sukhna Lake and spray it over fire-hit zones in Kasauli and adjoining hill areas. The operation was launched after the fire intensified due to soaring temperatures and dry vegetation, posing a serious threat to forests, wildlife, and nearby residential areas.
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Officials said the blaze initially erupted on Tuesday afternoon in the Manon forest area of Solan district’s Kasauli region and quickly spread across a large stretch of woodland. A significant portion of forest wealth is feared to have been destroyed in the incident, though no casualties have been reported so far.
The administration, forest department, and firefighting agencies have launched round-the-clock efforts to contain the flames. Relief teams are continuously receiving water support from Sukhna Lake as operations continue at multiple locations in the hilly terrain.
According to officials, strong heat conditions and dry forest cover have made the firefighting exercise extremely challenging. The fire was also moving towards populated pockets, triggering panic among residents of nearby villages who feared that the flames could reach homes and residential settlements.
Teams of the Forest Department and fire brigade personnel remain engaged in efforts to bring the situation under control. Authorities also expressed concern over possible damage to the natural habitat of wildlife in the affected forest region.
Meanwhile, another fire incident was reported from the forest area near Sector-53 in Chandigarh. Fire brigade teams rushed to the spot after receiving information and managed to control the blaze in time. Officials said prompt action helped avert major damage in the area.