Massive Fire Breaks Out in Nainital's Gethia Area - WATCH

A fire broke out at two different locations in the forests of the Gethiya area of Nainital on Sunday (April 19). After the fire department and police officials were alerted, a Forest Department team rushed to the spot and began efforts to control the fire, according to an ANI report. The fire was eventually brought under control in the afternoon; however, it intensified with the wind in the evening. As the flames reached the Aloo Khet area, residents were alarmed about the fire, and safety efforts were initiated. Currently, as per reports, forest department and fire brigade personnel are trying to control the fire, but due to the steep hill, it is difficult to control the fire.

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#WATCH | Nainital, Uttarakhand: Fire breaks out at two different

locations in the forests of the Gethiya area of Nainital. Upon receiving the information, a Forest Department team arrived at the scene and began efforts to extinguish the fire. pic.twitter.com/9bBv0SMzKI

— ANI (@ANI) April 19, 2026

Earlier today, a fire broke out at the Pilot Baba Ashram and another hill near it in the Gethiya area. As the fire reached the residential area, locals were alerted for safety and evacuation. The fire quickly engulfed a large area of the forest. Driven by strong winds, the fire reached the Cantonment Board and Aloo Khet by nightfall.According to reports, DFO Akash Gangwar said the fire was completely contained by midday, with only one cliff in the area on fire. Winds had spread the fire to a larger area.Earlier this month, a fresh blaze was reported across several locations along the Pauri-Srinagar road, posing risks to nearby areas. The fire spread close to the roadside, causing difficulties for pedestrians and vehicle drivers. In several stretches, visibility was also affected due to smoke, increasing the chances of accidents. Local residents said that such incidents occur every year during the summer season, leading to significant damage to forest resources. The situation also posed a serious threat to wildlife dependent on the forest.According to a study by Himalayan ecology expert Prof. Vishwambhar Prasad Sati and his student Surajit Banerjee from Mizoram University, forest fires in the Uttarakhand region have increased by 56 percent between 2019 and 2024. The study identifies high-risk zones including Rajaji National Park, Jim Corbett National Park, and the forest belts of Ramnagar, Haldwani, and Nainital. These areas face a greater than 90 percent probability of fire occurrence, particularly during the pre-monsoon season.