IAF-backed 27-hour operation douses massive forest fire in Himachal's Kasauli
Kasauli, May 27
A massive forest fire that raged for more than 27 hours in the Kasauli Beat area of Solan district was finally brought under control on Wednesday after an extensive joint firefighting operation involving ground teams and aerial support from the Indian Air Force.
According to the State Forest Department, the fire broke out around 1 PM on May 26 and spread across nearly 10 hectares of forest land. Officials classified the incident as a ground fire, while the exact cause of the blaze is yet to be ascertained.
The firefighting operation witnessed coordinated efforts by multiple agencies under the state's Incident Response System. Nine personnel from the State Forest Department were deployed on the ground to contain the flames in the difficult forest terrain.
As the fire intensified in inaccessible areas deep inside the forest, the Indian Air Force was pressed into service for reconnaissance missions and aerial water-dropping operations using Bambi buckets. Officials said the aerial intervention played a crucial role in preventing the fire from spreading further.
Forest officials stated that the operation was particularly challenging due to the steep and rugged terrain of the affected area. Ground teams also faced the threat of stone slides while carrying out firefighting activities. Fire brigade vehicles were unable to access the site because of the dense forest cover and difficult topography, forcing responders to rely heavily on manual firefighting methods and aerial support.
Despite the scale of the incident, no human casualties, wildlife losses, or incidents of human-wildlife conflict were reported. Authorities also confirmed that no structural or property damage occurred during the fire.
Officials added that neither the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) nor the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) was required for the operation, as the situation was managed by the Forest Department with IAF assistance.
The State Forest Department has completed a preliminary post-incident assessment and documented the affected area with geo-tagged photographic evidence for further evaluation.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Finally some good news! I was worried when I heard about the Kasauli fire. The coordination between forest staff and IAF is commendable. But why did it take 27 hours? We need faster response systems in place for such emergencies. Also, let's not forget climate change is making these fires worse.
Impressive operation by the Indian Air Force. The aerial water dropping must have been critical given the inaccessible terrain. Good to hear no wildlife was harmed either. Hope the authorities investigate the cause—was it human negligence or natural?
Real heroes are those 9 forest department personnel who fought on ground despite stone slides. 👏 But honestly, 10 hectares is huge—are we doing enough to prevent these fires? Every summer, Himachal burns. Need better forest management and awareness among tourists.
Thankful for the swift response by IAF and forest department. No casualties is a blessing. But 27 hours is too long—hope the post-incident assessment leads to better early warning systems. The geo-tagged evidence is a smart move for future planning.
As someone from Himachal, I'm relieved the fire is out. But this is happening every summer now—we need a dedicated forest fire management plan. The IAF intervention is great, but prevention is better than cure. Also, kudos to the ground teams who risked their lives! 🙏
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