Forest Fires in North East India

Context: Massive forest fires have been raging across Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland for over a week, necessitating high-altitude aerial firefighting by the Indian Air Force (IAF).

• Operations are concentrated in the Lohit Valley and Dzukou Valley, where helicopters are dropping thousands of litres of water to protect fragile Himalayan ecosystems.

About Forest Fires in North East India:

What it is?

• Forest fires in the North East are primarily surface fires that feed on dry leaf litter, grass, and forest debris. Unlike the crown fires seen in the West, these spread rapidly across steep slopes during the dry winter months (December–March).
• The region is a global biodiversity hotspot, and such fires threaten rare species, indigenous livelihoods, and the stability of the mountain soil.

Key Data & Facts on Forest Fires:

• Increased Frequency: Arunachal Pradesh recorded nearly 200 times more fire incidents in early 2026 compared to the same period in 2025.
• High-Altitude Operations: The IAF is conducting water-bucketing missions at altitudes exceeding 9,500 feet, a rare and technically challenging feat.
• Water Deployment: Over 1.4 lakh litres of water were dropped by Mi-17 V5 helicopters in the Walong sector alone within a single week.
• Ecological Sensitivity: The North-East forest cluster contributes nearly 36% of India’s total forest cover, making it the country’s most critical fire hotspot.
• Seasonal Peak: Roughly 80% of annual forest fires in this region occur between March and April, though 2026 saw an unseasonably early peak in February.

Reasons for Forest Fires:

• Dry Weather & Climate Variability: Prolonged dry spells and a lack of winter rain (Western Disturbances) desiccate the forest floor.

E.g. In 2026, a severe moisture deficit in the Lohit Valley turned the undergrowth into a tinderbox, allowing small sparks to grow into massive blazes.

• Shifting Cultivation (Jhum): The traditional slash-and-burn farming practice involves clearing land with fire, which can escape into deep forests.

E.g. Local authorities in Anjaw district identified uncontrolled Jhum fires as a primary trigger for the current Walong inferno.

• Accumulation of Fuel Load: Dry bamboo and pine needles act as highly inflammable fuel.

E.g. In the Dzukou Valley, the accumulation of dry alpine grasses and dwarf rhododendrons provided the fuel load necessary for the fire to reach Japfu Peak.

• Accidental Human Ignition: Negligence by trekkers, poachers, or villagers often sparks fires.

E.g. The recent Dzukou Valley fire was reportedly exacerbated by visitor negligence, leading to the emergency evacuation of 30 trekkers.

• Topographic Wind Patterns: Steep slopes and valley winds create a chimney effect, pushing flames rapidly uphill.

E.g. High-velocity winds near Japfu Peak acted as a bellows, causing the fire to spread across steep ridges despite firefighting efforts.

Initiatives Taken So Far:

• IAF HADR Missions: (IAF): Deployment of Mi-17 V5 helicopters equipped with Bambi Buckets for precision water drops.
• Synergized Response: Coordinated ground operations involving the Indian Army’s Spear Corps, State Forest Departments, and local Disaster Management authorities.
• FSI Monitoring: The Forest Survey of India (FSI) provides real-time satellite-based fire alerts via the SNPP-VIIRS system to local forest guards.
• Central Funding: Financial aid under the Forest Fire Prevention and Management (FPM) scheme for creating fire lines and engaging fire watchers.

Challenges Associated with Elimination:

• Inaccessible Terrain: Rugged Himalayan ridges make it impossible for fire trucks to reach hotspots.

E.g. In Anjaw, ground teams took days to reach fire points that were only accessible via aerial reconnaissance.

• Rarefied Air & Poor Visibility: High-altitude firefighting is limited by thin air and smoke-induced low visibility.

E.g. IAF pilots in Nagaland had to draw water from Padumpokhiri Lake amid rarefied air, which reduces helicopter lift and maneuverability.

• Shortage of Water Sources: Finding large water bodies near high-altitude fires is difficult.

E.g. Helicopters in the Dzukou mission have to travel significant distances to Dimapur’s lakes, increasing the turnaround time between water drops.

• Communication Gaps: The last-mile delay between satellite detection and ground response often allows fires to spiral out of control.

E.g. By the time a fire point alert reached remote guards in Nagaland, the fire had already transitioned from a surface to a more dangerous slope fire.

• Socio-Cultural Factors: Balancing traditional farming rights with forest conservation remains a sensitive policy challenge.

E.g. Despite bans, Jhum cultivation continues in Arunachal as it is tied to the food security and culture of indigenous tribes.

Way Ahead:

• Community-Led Fire Brigades: Incentivize local village councils to act as first responders through Joint Forest Management.
• Technology Integration: Use of drones for night-time monitoring and AI-based fire spread modeling to predict movement.
• Infrastructure Development: Construct high-altitude static water tanks (water holes) for easier access during bucket operations.
• Fuel Management: Promote the commercial collection of dry biomass (like pine needles) for bio-fuel, reducing the forest’s tinderbox effect.
• Inter-State Coordination: Establish a North-East Fire Task Force for seamless resource sharing between Arunachal, Nagaland, and Manipur.