A forest fire broke out in the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday, prompting swift action by local authorities and forest officials to bring the blaze under control before it could spread to residential areas or cause major ecological damage.
The incident occurred in the Pouni block of Reasi, a hilly region with dense vegetation prone to fires during the dry summer months. Eyewitnesses reported flames and thick smoke engulfing parts of the forest, triggering concern among local residents and nearby village communities.
Upon receiving alerts about the fire, the Department of Forests, in coordination with the district administration and local police, immediately deployed fire control teams to the site. Officials confirmed that after several hours of firefighting efforts, the blaze was successfully contained with no reports of casualties or damage to property.
Reasi Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Dharmendra Kumar said that teams acted quickly to stop the fire from advancing. “We were able to respond in time thanks to local inputs and the readiness of our staff. The fire has been brought under control, and we are now working to prevent any flare-ups,” he stated.
Initial assessments indicate that the fire may have been triggered by dry vegetation and high temperatures, a common combination during the early summer season in Jammu and Kashmir’s forested regions. Officials said they are investigating whether any human negligence, such as open burning or discarded cigarettes, may have contributed to the outbreak.
Forest fires in the Himalayan foothills are not uncommon, especially in regions like Reasi that experience prolonged dry spells. The state’s Forest Department has already issued seasonal advisories to local communities, urging caution and cooperation in fire-prone areas.
In response to Sunday’s fire, officials also deployed additional monitoring teams to ensure that no new blazes erupt in nearby forest compartments. Villagers living in the vicinity have been advised to report any signs of smoke or fire immediately to the authorities.
While the fire was relatively limited in scale, environmentalists have expressed concern about the cumulative impact of repeated seasonal fires on biodiversity and forest cover in Jammu and Kashmir. Forest fires, even when controlled, can damage fragile ecosystems, threaten wildlife, and lead to soil erosion.
District officials said they will review firefighting infrastructure and preparedness as the fire season progresses, and they urged citizens to avoid activities that could unintentionally ignite forested areas.
Sunday’s incident underscores the growing need for proactive fire management strategies as climate variability and human activity increase the risk of wildfires in vulnerable regions like Reasi. Authorities have reassured the public that all necessary steps are being taken to monitor and protect forest areas in the weeks ahead.
Source; Hindustan Times
