Over 350 forest fire incidents reported in Kashmir last year: Chief conservator of forests

Chief Conservator of Forests of Kashmir, Irfan Rasool Wani, today said that Kashmir witnessed a significant decline in forest fire incidents in 2025, with around 350 cases reported so far compared to over 1,000 incidents during the previous year.

Wani, while talking to the news agency Kashmir News Trust, said that forest fires usually intensify during prolonged dry spells, adding that climate change has also emerged as a major contributing factor. He said a rise in temperatures, coupled with dry grass and prolonged dry weather, makes forests highly vulnerable, where even a minor spark can lead to a fire.

He said that while most forest fires in Kashmir are surface fires, man-made incidents cannot be ruled out. Mischief and human negligence, he said, also play a role in triggering fires in forest areas.

Chief Conservator Forests said the Forest Department remains on constant alert and is always prepared to douse fires. He said control rooms have been established in every district specifically for forest fire management and are equipped with the necessary tools and resources. He said early detection and quick mobilization are crucial in controlling fires, and fire watchers have been deployed across vulnerable forest zones.

The Chief Conservator said forest fires during dry spells are a global phenomenon, but Kashmir’s forests remain particularly vulnerable due to changing climatic patterns. He stressed that only collective action can help in controlling forest fires in time.

Appealing to the public, Wani urged people to act as responsible citizens and avoid leaving inflammable materials inside forest areas. He also appealed to people to immediately report any forest fire incident to the nearest forest authorities so that timely action can be taken. [KNT]