JAMMU: A vast forest fire broke out in the Ramnagar area of
Udhampur district in Jammu & Kashmir on Monday, compelling authorities to call
Indian Air Force (IAF) and the
Indian Army to assist in the fire-fighting operations.
IAF helicopters also were pressed into the fire-fighting operation to control the massive fire in Ghordi block of Udhampur district. According to police, “The fire broke out on Sunday night in Daya Dhar forests and later it engulfed a vast area due to high temperature.
Hundreds of pine trees and undergrowth were damaged in the fire.”
Initially, local volunteers from nearby villages, police and firefighters from the Forest Protection Force tried to control the blaze but could not contain it, following which help was sought from the IAF and the Army.
Responding to a call from Udhampur deputy commissioner Indu Kanwal Chib for help, IAF deployed its helicopters to help douse the fire early on Monday morning. The exact reason for the fire could not be ascertained, but it is believed that the fire could have started after dry grass caught fire due to rising mercury.