Uttarakhand Forest Fire: 4 Arrested As CM Dhami Vows Strict Action

Dehradun: Four individuals have been arrested for allegedly igniting a fire in the Gangolihat range forest in Uttarakhand’s Pithoragarh district.

Identified as Piyush Singh, Ayush Singh, Rahul Singh, and Ankit, the accused reportedly set the blaze on May 3, as disclosed by the Sarpanch of Jakhani Upreti and Bhandari villages. Legal action under Forest Act sections has been initiated against them following an FIR.

In response to the ongoing forest fire threats in Uttarakhand, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami reiterated the state’s determination to control the situation. Dhami said those involved in the incident will face stern consequences, stating, “Our target is to bring the fire under control as early as possible.” He has rescheduled prior commitments to visit Dehradun and conduct a review of the state’s firefighting efforts, scheduled for Wednesday at the Secretariat.

The Indian Air Force has contributed to firefighting operations by utilizing Bambi buckets, deploying Mi17 V5 helicopters to douse the flames in coordination with the state government. Over 4,500 litres of water have been utilized for this purpose.

Moreover, Dhami plans to evaluate preparations for the upcoming Char Dham Yatra, focusing on travel routes, traffic management, and arrangements in key locations like Shri Kedarnath and Rudraprayag. Safety and operational efficiency during the Yatra remain paramount concerns.