HP: Forests from Shimla to Chamba Blaze Fiercely; Incidents Double Compared to Last Year

May 29, 2026

Forests in Himachal Pradesh are burning fiercely. The number of forest fire incidents in the state has more than doubled compared to last year’s figure of 111, reaching 258. As of Thursday, the estimated loss caused by these fires this year stands at approximately ₹81 lakh.

In Kotkhai, a Kali Mata temple was reduced to ashes due to a forest fire. The impact of the fires raging in the forests of Solan was also felt on the Kalka-Shimla railway line. On Wednesday, two trains were halted near Sanwara for about two and a half hours due to the fires. Both trains were stopped because the flames had spread to the vicinity of the railway tracks.

During this time, teams from the Forest Department and the Fire Department—along with teams from the Railway Board—arrived at the scene and successfully brought the fire under control. A fire also flared up in the Mangrot forest area of ​​Jukhala. Intense flames were also witnessed in the forests of Dagshai, Devthi, and Shamlech in Solan. Additionally, fire-related damage was reported in the Raggarh Dhar range of the Bangana subdivision in Una.

A massive fire broke out in the forest near Shiladu village in Kotkhai. The fire spread to the residential areas. The Kali Mata temple, situated adjacent to the forest near Shiladu village, was completely burnt to ashes. Fires that erupted in several forest areas of Bilaspur on Wednesday night caused widespread devastation. Valuable forest wealth was reduced to ash as it was engulfed by the flames. In the Jukhala region, a fire suddenly flared up in the Mangrot forest late on Wednesday night; however, a team from the Forest Department subsequently brought the blaze under control.