Kasauli Forest Fire Remains Uncontrolled After 40 Hours; Army, Air Force Continue Operations

May 28, 2026

Solan: Even after 40 hours, the fierce forest fire raging in the woods of Kasauli a renowned tourist destination in Himachal Pradesh has not yet been brought completely under control. The fire has engulfed an area spanning approximately 15 kilometers. While the blaze has been brought under control in the vicinity of the Mall Road area, it continues to rage in the forests of Nahri.

An Army helicopter has been actively engaged in efforts to contain the fire since Tuesday evening. So far, it has completed over 50 sorties, ferrying water from Sukna Lake to douse the flames. Army personnel and several fire tenders are also working tirelessly to bring the situation under control.

The fire, which erupted on Tuesday afternoon in the forests near Manon village in Kasauli, has engulfed hundreds of ‘bighas’ (units of land area) of forest cover, reducing forest wealth worth crores of rupees to ashes.

Army and Air Force Take Charge

Given the gravity of the situation, the Army and the Air Force had to step in and take charge of operations. Throughout last night (Wednesday), Army personnel, firefighters from the Cantonment Board, and administrative teams remained engaged in relief and rescue operations. Operating across rugged hills and dense forests throughout the night, the troops strove to prevent the fire from spreading to residential areas.

Fire Had Reached Close to CRI

Yesterday, the fire had advanced close to the Kasauli Club and the CRI (Central Research Institute) area; however, Army personnel successfully averted major damage in this sector as well. Local residents have expressed their gratitude to the army personnel, including Station Commander Brigadier Sandeep Madan and the Air Force team for their efforts. Residents maintain that had the Army not intervened promptly, Kasauli could have faced massive devastation.

Army Helicopter Douses Forest Fire

The fire spread from the forests of Manon; however, the exact cause of the blaze remains unknown. Such fire incidents occur frequently in the region, as pine forests are considered highly susceptible to fire. Consequently, even the slightest human error can result in significant damage.