Dry spell fuels spate of forest fires in Srinagar

Srinagar, Jan 15: Several areas in upper reaches of Srinagar have been witnessing a spurt in fires over the past few weeks as a prolonged dry spell continues across the city and other parts of Kashmir.

With no significant snowfall or rainfall recorded so far this winter, dry grass and forest undergrowth in the surrounding mountains have become increasingly vulnerable, leading to repeated fire incidents.

On Thursday, a forest fire broke out in the upper reaches of the Zabarwan range at the Nishat belt. Fire and Emergency Services officials said the terrain posed a major challenge. “Our quick response teams had to trek on foot for a considerable distance with firefighting equipment to reach the spot as vehicles cannot access such areas,” an official said, adding that the fire involved dry bushes and forest vegetation and was brought under control without any loss of life.

On January 14, another fire was reported in the upper reaches of Brein-Nishat. Officials said dry bushes caught fire, causing concern among residents living nearby.

“In addition to this, Aqua Grass at the Panzinara area of Srinagar caught fire, which was brought under control. The dry weather is making it very prone to such incidents, but the department is on its toes to address the issue,” said the official.

Earlier this month, similar vegetation fires were reported from the Hari Parbat area near the historic fort and the Makhdoom Sahib (RA) shrine. According to officials, dry grass and shrubs fuelled the flames. They said such fires are becoming frequent due to the prolonged dry weather.

Fire and Emergency Services officials said accessibility remains one of the biggest challenges while dealing with forest fires. “Most of these fires occur on steep slopes and forested areas where reaching the spot takes time,” an official said, urging people to avoid activities that could trigger fires.

Residents living near the Zabarwan range and adjoining areas said they have been witnessing such incidents more often. “In the past few weeks, we have seen small fires in forest and grass areas from the Harwan side,” said Mudasir Ahmed, a local resident. Another resident from the Khimber area of Hazratbal said there was a fire incident in the Khimber forest range on January 14. “We saw smoke rising from the hills. These fires are worrying because the forests are very dry,” he said.

Locals said they are hoping for precipitation to bring relief. “There has been no snowfall or rain, even though it is mid-January. We are praying that there will be snow or rain soon,” said Firdous Ahmad, a resident of Nishat. People said snowfall is crucial not only to contain forest fires but also for agriculture and water resources, as rivers and streams largely depend on snow and glaciers.

Meanwhile, special prayers were held last week at historic Jamia Masjid and other places in Srinagar, seeking rainfall and snowfall. “People are turning to prayers because the dry weather is affecting everything, from forests to water sources,” a local said, expressing hope that precipitation will ease the situation and reduce the risk of further fires.

While talking to Greater Kashmir, Aqib Mir, Assistant Director, Fire and Emergency Services, said, “The prolonged dry spell has left grass and vegetation with very low moisture, making these highly combustible and increasing forest fire incidents. People living or moving through such areas must ensure any fire is properly extinguished to prevent outbreaks.”