An aerial view of the damage caused by the forest fire at Dzükou Valley as seen on February 11. The forest fire that originated in the Dzükou Valley 18 days ago has spread to the Mt Japfü, raising concerns of the blaze re-entering unburnt areas of the valley through dense pine forests. (Photo Courtesy: District Administration, Kohima)
- Dense pine forests poses risk of return to valley
- Urgent deployment of IAF bambi buckets sought
Morung Express news
Kohima | February 12
The forest fire that originated in the Dzükou Valley 18 days ago has spread to the Mt Japfü, raising concerns of the blaze re-entering unburnt areas of the valley through dense pine forests, officials said on Wednesday.
A team led by Deputy Commissioner of Kohima, B Henok Buchem, conducted an aerial survey to assess the extent of the damage and the current status of the fire on February 11.
The team included District Commandant HG, CD & SDRF Wopenthung, Nodal Officer DDMA Thejangulie Zao, President of the Southern Angami Youth Organization (SAYO) Zasitsolie Beio, and Tselie Yhoshü.
The survey revealed that the fire, which has been raging for nearly three weeks, has now reached parts of Mt Japfü.
The survey found that the southern, eastern, western and adjoining mountain ranges of Dzükou Valley have already been significantly burnt, with no active flames except for residual smoke in isolated areas.
However, active fires are currently concentrated on the northern face around Mt Japfü posing a serious risk of spreading towards Mt Kahu and re-entering the unburnt areas of Dzükou Valley through dense pine forests, it was observed.
“Of particular concern is the Kigwema mountain slope, which is heavily forested with tall, dry trees. This significantly increases the risk of crown fires, falling embers, and secondary ignition, potentially leading to rapid and uncontrollable fire spread,” the survey revealed.
Due to the extreme inaccessibility of the terrain, steep slopes, lack of motorable access, and the vast area involved, ground-based firefighting operations are not feasible in the critical zones, it added.
In view of the situation and the potential ecological and environmental impact, the team further recommended immediate deployment of IAF bambi buckets.
IAF Helicopters with bambi buckets has been requisitioned again in view of the prevailing situation.
Home Department in a notification stated that considering the difficult terrain and limited ground accessibility, aerial intervention is urgently required to contain and douse the forest fires.
It requested for urgent re-detailment of Indian Air Force helicopters equipped with bambi buckets for carrying out water bombing operations in the affected areas from today. The notification stated that approximate geo-coordinates of the active fire zone in Dzükou Valley are 25.561282° N, 94.077528° E. Water for bambi bucket operations was also directed to be sourced from Padumpukhuri, Dimapur District.
A team from Department of Information & Public Relations, Government of Nagaland also visited Dzükou to document the damage caused by the forest fire which started around the last week of January and continues to burn till date, added a DIPR report.
