Forest fires break out near Almora gas godown & Bageshwar

Bageshwar: A forest fire broke out near a gas storage depot in Dharanoula area of Almora district on Thursday, triggering panic among residents as flames spread towards the facility.Fire service and forest department teams rushed to the spot and launched a joint operation to douse the blaze. Firefighters sprayed water to contain the fire, while forest personnel created fire lines to stop it from advancing towards the gas warehouse. Officials said timely intervention prevented a major incident.Meanwhile, forest fires were reported from several locations in Bageshwar district, including Kapkot, Garur and parts of the Pindar Valley.In Garur block, forests in Hunera Tok of Nargwadi village caught fire on Thursday afternoon. The flames spread towards nearby habitations, filling the area with smoke. Villagers said chir pine, oak, utis and buransh trees were affected.In Kapkot, parts of the Glacier Range were also singed by fire. Thick smoke spread across the region, affecting visibility and air quality. Wildfires were also reported near Sorag and Wachham villages in the Pindar Valley, damaging fodder, trees and vegetation close to residential areas.Residents said forests in Glacier Range rarely witnessed fires earlier, even during peak fire season. They expressed concern over the early onset of fires this year.Environmental activist Jagdish Kuniyal termed the outbreak of forest fires at this stage of the season "concerning" and called for preventive measures.In view of Fire Season 2026, the forest department organised a one-day mock drill at the Model Crew Station in Jaulkande, Bageshwar. Officials from the forest department, district administration, fire services and police took part in the exercise to strengthen preparedness and coordination.