Arunachal Pradesh forest fire enters sixth day; IAF and Army work to douse blaze | VIDEO

Itanagar: Operations to contain a massive forest fire in Arunachal Pradesh's Anjaw district entered their sixth consecutive day on Wednesday, officials confirmed.

The fire, which broke out in Walong on 13 February, has prompted a coordinated response from the Indian Army, the Indian Air Force, and local civil authorities. Troops of the Army’s Spear Corps, supported by aerial and ground teams, remain fully engaged in dousing residual flames, preventing flare-ups, and securing affected areas, Defence spokesperson Lt Col Mahendra Rawat said.

“Operations have continued with sustained intensity despite difficult terrain and challenging weather conditions,” he added. Over the past six days, firefighting efforts have involved manpower, specialised equipment, heavy machinery, and helicopters conducting aerial reconnaissance and water-dropping missions.

The Indian Air Force has been operating at two fronts. At Walong, a total of 139,800 litres of water has been dropped, successfully extinguishing the blaze. Simultaneously, operations continue over Dzukou Valley in Nagaland, where Mi-17 V5 helicopters are drawing water from Padumpokhiri Lake near Dimapur to combat fires near Japfu Peak, navigating steep slopes, poor visibility, and rarefied air.

Round-the-clock operations are ongoing to ensure the fire is completely extinguished and to minimise the risk of re-ignition, Lt Col Rawat said.

Initial reports from local sources indicate the fire likely originated in the forested hills surrounding Walong, fuelled by dry vegetation and prevailing weather conditions that allowed flames to spread rapidly across the area.

ALSO READ | Will Arunachal lose its heritage? Dy CM issues stark warning

The General Officer Commanding of 2 Mountain Division visited the site to review the operations and commended the troops for their prompt response and dedication.

Lt Col Rawat added that significant progress has been made in containing the blaze, with continuous monitoring in place to prevent any resurgence.