: Wednesday, February 18, 2026 11:13 AM
Arunachal Pradesh. The work of extinguishing forest fires in Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland is continuing on a war footing. Indian Army and Air Force are also engaged in this operation. Helicopters are continuously dropping water in difficult areas, while teams on the surface are trying to extinguish the fire with special equipment. So far the fire in Walong, Arunachal Pradesh has been brought under control. “Helicopters are engaged in two-front forest fire extinguishing missions and are conducting continuous aerial firefighting operations in difficult areas,” the Indian Air Force posted on social media platform X. The Air Force informed that a total of 139,800 liters of water has been dropped in Walong, Arunachal Pradesh, due to which the fire has been successfully extinguished. “Also, operations are underway in Zukou Valley in Nagaland, with Mi-17 V-5 helicopters bringing water from Padum Pokhri Lake (Dimapur) to extinguish fires near Japfu Peak amid steep slopes, poor visibility and rarefied air.”
Indian Army soldiers, along with the Air Force, are continuing efforts to control the forest fire burning in remote areas at an altitude of about 3,000 to 3,500 feet in Anjaw district of Arunachal Pradesh.
On Tuesday, the Army had shared videos showing helicopters dropping water to extinguish the fire on the hills, while other fire-fighting equipment was also deployed to assist ground teams. It is said that this fire spread in the forest on February 13.
Earlier on Saturday, the Air Force posted, “Helicopters are continuously carrying out fire extinguishing missions above 9,500 feet in Lohit Valley, Arunachal Pradesh. More than 12,000 liters of water has been delivered to the hotspots on the hills above Lohit Valley. Despite inclement weather and thin air, helicopters are continuing to drop water to control the fire and protect the delicate Himalayan ecosystem. The mission is ongoing.”
According to a defense spokesperson in Guwahati, dry weather and shifting cultivation, the traditional slash-and-burn method of hill tribes, are among the main causes of forest fires in the Northeast.
The spokesperson said around-the-clock work was carried out over the past five days with aerial surveillance and helicopters assisting in water drop. These operations are being carried out in very difficult terrain and weather conditions so that the fire is completely extinguished.
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Web Title-War-level efforts underway to extinguish forest fires in Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland, Army and Air Force engaged in operations