Forest fires scorch 318 hectares in Uttarakhand this season

Dehradun/Bageshwar: Rising temperatures and strong winds have fuelled 373 forest fire incidents across Uttarakhand this season, scorching nearly 318 hectares of forest land, while the Forest Survey of India (FSI) issued around 300 fire alerts for the state on Sunday alone.The Garhwal region has borne the brunt, recording 272 incidents that damaged around 231 hectares of forest land. Kumaon reported 69 incidents impacting nearly 62 hectares, while 32 incidents under the wildlife administration damaged about 24 hectares, according to forest department data.Tehri, Almora, Bageshwar, Pauri and Uttarkashi continue to battle blazes with dry forest floors and strong winds aiding the spread of flames, officials said.In Almora’s Dwarahat range, fires spread across steep slopes and inaccessible terrain, posing challenges for firefighting teams. Villagers said flames had reached close to habitations in some areas and several forest patches had been reduced to ashes.Dwarahat range officer Gopal Dutt Joshi said fires in several cases were spreading from adjoining revenue land into forest areas. “Firefighting operations in rocky terrain remain extremely difficult,” he said.Police have registered two FIRs in Dwarahat and one in Chaukhutiya against unidentified persons in connection with recent incidents.The fires have also triggered allegations and counter-allegations. While forest officials claimed some incidents were deliberate, residents blamed negligence and resin contractors for allowing the flames to spread.Environmentalist Shankar Singh Bisht said some forests in the region had caught fire for the third time this season. “The continuous smoke is affecting normal life and wildlife alike. The scale of destruction remains worrisome,” he said.In Bageshwar district’s Syankot area, flames reached the premises of a govt Atal Utkrisht Inter College, triggering panic among residents and school staff. Teachers managed to bring the situation under control before it caused major damage.According to the forest department, around 40 hectares of forest land have been damaged in Pauri district alone. Officials said strong winds continue to hamper firefighting efforts in several areas.Forest officials added that in the Garhwal region, nine FIRs and 58 complaints have been registered against known and unidentified persons suspected of deliberately setting forests on fire.