Uttarakhand Forest Fires Spread to Nainital, Help Sought from Army

Dehradun: The blazing forest fires in Uttarakhand have reached Nainital and dense smoke has started to fill the air of the hill station.

The flames of the forest fire reportedly reached Nainital’s High Court Colony. The local administration sought help from Army personnel to control the fire.

A helicopter is also being used to help in the fire-fighting efforts. Because of the forest fire, boating in Nainital Lake has been banned.

The fire has engulfed an old and vacant house located near The Pines but it has not yet affcted the High Court Colony although the flames are dangerously close.

Another blaze has been reported in the forest of Lariya Kanta area in Nainital district, partially damaging an ITI building.

On Friday, three persons attempting to set fire to the forests were arrested in Rudraprayag.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami is expected to chair a review meeting on Saturday regarding the forest fire in the state.

The forest fire incidents in the state have destroyed 33.34 hectares of forest land in past one week. In the last 24 hours alone, 31 new forest fire incidents were reported.