As many as 31 fresh incidents of forest fire were reported from various parts of the state, destroying 33.34 hectares of forest land, according to officials. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said all efforts are being made to bring the fires under control and it will be done soon.
A Mi-17 V5 helicopter of the Indian Air Force conducts 'Bambi Bucket Operation' to control the fire that broke out in the forests of Kumaon division, in Nainital district. The situation in the district worsened with the flames reaching the High Court Colony in the Pines area.
Three people were arrested in Rudraprayag while trying to set fire to forests. Besides forest department staff, Army personnel are involved in efforts to control the fire.
From November 1, 2023 till now, a total of 575 incidents of forest fire have been reported in the state, affecting 689.89 hectares of forest area and costing the state than Rs 14 lakh. The Nainital district administration has banned boating in Naini lake in view of the blaze.
Nainital Divisional Forest Officer Chandrashekhar Joshi said, "We have deployed 40 Manora Range personnel and two forest rangers to extinguish the fire."