SRINAGAR 09 Jun : A massive forest fire erupted across multiple locations in the Rajouri forest division of Jammu and Kashmir, triggering a large-scale firefighting operation involving the Forest Department, Forest Protection Force (FPF), and local residents.
Officials said the blaze affected forest areas in Khadian, Androla, Chakkli, Miahadi, and the Bathuni block, with firefighting operations continuing on Tuesday to prevent the flames from spreading further.
According to the Forest Department, all available personnel have been deployed in the affected areas despite difficult terrain and limited access to remote forest compartments.
Forest Department official Rajesh Kumar said firefighting teams were facing major logistical challenges as fire tenders could not reach several affected locations.
“The entire staff has been deployed. The fire is in the Chakkli, Khadian and Androla areas. The terrain is too remote for fire vehicles to reach. Hopefully, the fire will be brought under control by evening,” Kumar said.
Officials said the remoteness of the affected forest regions has forced teams to rely mainly on manual methods to contain the fire.
Local residents have also joined the operation and are assisting forest personnel in efforts to stop the flames from advancing towards nearby areas.
A resident involved in the firefighting efforts said villagers had been battling the blaze continuously since Monday.
“We worked until late at night to douse the fire yesterday. I reached home at around midnight. We are trying to extinguish the fire along with the department, but the blaze is massive and very difficult to control,” the resident told .
Authorities have not yet assessed the total area affected or the extent of damage caused to forest cover and wildlife. No casualties or injuries have been reported so far.
The cause of the fire remains unknown. Forest officials said the situation is being closely monitored and efforts have been intensified to contain the blaze before it spreads to additional forest compartments.
Meanwhile, authorities remain on high alert as firefighting operations continue across the Rajouri forest division.
