Forest fires became more severe in Nainital on Friday, with the flames reaching the High Court Colony in the hilly town.
Three persons were arrested in Rudraprayag on Friday while trying to set fire to the forests.
In the last 24 hours, 31 new forest fires were reported from various parts of the state, destroying 33.34 hectares of forest land. The army was called in to contain the fire, and an Indian Air Force MI-17 helicopter was deployed to extinguish it.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has asked the officials to remain on alert and take measures to prevent the fires by coordinating with all departments.
The fire that broke out near Nainital district headquarters expanded, posing a threat to the residents of High Court Colony located in the Pines area. It also affected the traffic movement in the area.
Along with the forest department employees, army personnel are also trying to control the fire. Authorities may deploy helicopters to put it out.
Anil Joshi, a resident of the area and assistant registrar of the High Court, told PTI, “The fire has engulfed an old and vacant house located near The Pines. It has not caused any damage to the High Court Colony but has reached dangerously close to the buildings. Efforts have been made to control the fire since this evening.”
The district administration has banned boating in Naini Lake in view of the blaze.
From November 1 last year to now, 575 forest fire incidents have been reported in the state, affecting 689.89 hectares of forest area and costing the state more than Rs 14 lakh.
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