Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], April 21 : As Himachal Pradesh enters its annual forest fire season, state authorities are ramping up preparedness efforts, placing strong emphasis on public co-operation and swift response mechanisms.
According to K Thirumal, Chief Conservator of Forests, Shimla Circle, recent rains have helped delay the onset of major forest fires. However, the threat remains significant, especially given that 68% of the state's geographical area is forested, much higher than the national average.
Addressing a press conference on forest fire preparedness, Thirumal said that due to rain, the forest fire incidents are less so far.
"The fire season in Himachal Pradesh has officially begun. Right now, due to good rainfall, the number of forest fires is relatively low. So far, only 90 fire incidents have been recorded across the state. However, historically, Himachal witnesses between 1,500 to 2,000 forest fire incidents annually," he said.
He emphasised the critical role of awareness campaigns and community participation in mitigating fire risks. Firefighters have already been deployed across vulnerable zones, and public engagement is being prioritised to reduce the number of incidents and ensure quicker responses when fires do break out.
"We are running awareness campaigns, deploying fire personnel, and appealing to the public to cooperate. If a fire does occur, our block officers are actively reaching out to communities, taking complaints seriously, and coordinating immediate response efforts," Thirumal stated.
The forest fire season is expected to continue until June 15, and the Forest Department has issued a statewide alert, urging citizens to remain vigilant. Reflecting on last year's statistics, Thirumal noted that "In the previous season, we recorded nearly 2,500 forest fire incidents," he added further.
To monitor and manage fires, the department relies on satellite alerts and real-time data provided by agencies such as the Forest Survey of India. "Whenever a fire is detected, we receive an alert. Our range and circle-level officers are notified immediately. We conduct verification, assess fire losses, and carry out containment activities such as creating fire lines," he said.
The department also categorises regions based on fire frequency.
"If a particular area experiences fires almost every year, we classify it as a 'sensitive zone' and prioritise fire prevention measures there. However, if an area hasn't seen fire incidents in over 10 years, we generally do not need to lay fire lines or deploy fire water there," Thirumal added.
He concluded with an earnest appeal to the public, saying, "We urge everyone to work with the Forest Department. Preventing fires requires active public participation. And if a fire does occur, we need the community's help in containing it."
The Forest Department has called on local communities, adventure tourism operators, and other stakeholders to remain alert and responsive, stressing that protecting Himachal's forests is a shared responsibility.