With forest fire season underway Himachal Pradesh is stepping up its preparedness efforts, combining technology, ground-level action, and public cooperation to safeguard its extensive forest cover. Chief Conservator of Forests, Shimla Circle, K Thirumal, announced on Monday that while recent rainfall has delayed major fires, the threat remains high due to the state’s 68% forest cover well above the national average.
Thirumal said during a press briefing “Thanks to good rainfall, fire incidents are still low, with only 90 cases recorded statewide, He noted that Himachal typically sees 1,500 to 2,000 fire incidents annually, with last year recording nearly 2,500 cases.
Authorities have launched awareness drives and deployed fire personnel in vulnerable areas. “Community participation is crucial. We’re urging the public to remain alert and work closely with forest officials,” he said. Block officers are actively engaging with residents, addressing fire alerts and coordinating immediate responses on the ground.
Using real-time satellite alerts from the Forest Survey of India, the department monitors fire-prone zones and categorizes regions based on historical fire frequency. Sensitive zones with yearly fires are prioritized for fire line creation and firefighter deployment, while low-risk areas are monitored without intensive intervention.
The fire season is expected to last until June 15. The forest department has issued a statewide alert, encouraging citizens, tourism operators, and local stakeholders to report any signs of fire and assist with containment efforts. “Preventing fires is not a one-department job it’s a shared responsibility,” Thirumal emphasized, calling on the public to help protect Himachal’s forests during this critical season.