Major forest fire erupts in Reasi’s Salal Forest area, firefighting operations underway

A major forest fire broke out in the Salal forest area of Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district on Saturday, prompting an urgent response from forest officials and emergency services.

The blaze spread rapidly through the hilly terrain due to dry vegetation and weather conditions, raising concerns about damage to forest cover and wildlife in the region. Firefighting teams were immediately deployed to the affected area and efforts are ongoing to contain the flames.

According to officials, the fire erupted in the forested hills near the Salal Dam area and quickly expanded across parts of the forest.

The difficult terrain has made firefighting operations challenging, forcing personnel to rely heavily on manual efforts and local support to prevent the fire from spreading further. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation and have mobilised available resources to bring the blaze under control.

Forest department personnel, fire service teams, and local residents have joined the operation to protect nearby areas and minimise environmental damage. No casualties or injuries have been reported so far. Officials have not yet determined the exact cause of the fire, and an assessment of the affected forest area will be conducted once the situation is fully controlled.

The incident adds to a series of forest fires reported in parts of Jammu and Kashmir in recent weeks, highlighting growing concerns over wildfire risks during the dry season.

Authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant and report any signs of fire in nearby forest regions.