Forest Fire Near CMO Office In Almora Brought Under Control

Almora Forest Fire 

A forest fire that broke out on Saturday night behind the Chief Medical Officer’s office in Almora triggered urgency among residents before it was brought under control through a prompt operation by the fire service team. The incident occurred in the Pandekhola forest area, where dry vegetation allowed the flames to spread rapidly. However, swift response by the fire brigade prevented the fire from reaching nearby residential zones.

The control room received an alert at 8:05pm when local residents noticed the intensity of the flames rising in the forest belt behind the CMO complex. Our correspondent reports that the fire had begun advancing towards the populated stretch located close to the office premises. The Almora Fire Station immediately activated an emergency response and deployed a firefighting team under the direction of Station Officer Narendra Singh Kunwar.

Fire officials said the team reached the spot without delay and initiated operations using an MFM machine and a single hose reel. Our correspondent adds that visibility in the affected area was low, and the dry forest cover caused the flames to intensify at several points. The firefighting personnel formed a containment line and began dousing the active pockets systematically to restrict the spread.

Officials identified the team members involved in the operation as driver Girish Dhariyal and firemen Hari Singh, Ravi Arya, Jeevan Joshi, Swati Bohra, Indu Mehta and reserve firefighter Priyanshu Kumar. They worked collectively to control the blaze, focusing first on the edge closest to the residential side before covering the deeper clusters of burning vegetation.

According to fire officials, the efforts of the team ensured that the fire did not cause any structural damage or loss of life. They said the quick mobilisation, supported by residents’ timely alert, allowed the fire to be contained within a manageable perimeter. They added that water supply was maintained without interruption throughout the firefighting effort.

Once the flames were brought fully under control, the team conducted a thorough inspection of the surrounding area to ensure no smouldering patches remained. The unit then proceeded to Pataldevi water station to refill the tanker before returning to the Almora Fire Station. Officials confirmed that the operation lasted nearly two hours, covering both active suppression and follow-up verification.

Local residents expressed relief at the swift response, saying that the fire, had it spread further, could have endangered homes situated along the upper stretch of Pandekhola. The incident drew attention to the increasing occurrence of forest fires in the region, particularly during dry conditions. Officials said they would enhance monitoring in the vulnerable belts surrounding the town.

Fire authorities highlighted that the frequency of such incidents has risen in recent seasons and emphasised the need for community vigilance. They said residents should immediately inform the fire service in case of smoke or flames to prevent small fires from turning into major hazards.

District-level officials also urged people to avoid actions that may trigger forest fires, including burning waste, discarding flammable material or leaving open flames unattended. They added that awareness campaigns would continue to reduce risks in sensitive areas.

Authorities said the Almora region remains under observation, and any recurrence will be addressed promptly. They stated that coordination between departments, including the forest division and fire services, will be strengthened to manage future emergencies more effectively.

The incident underscored the importance of preparedness and rapid response in fire-prone zones and reaffirmed the need for continued public cooperation in protecting forest and residential landscapes.