Almora forest fire disaster: Four workers dead, four others critically injured

The Almora district continues to battle relentless forest fires. On Thursday, a massive blaze erupted in the jungles of Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary. Upon receiving the alert, a team from the Forest Department rushed to the scene. However, the fire's intensity was overwhelming, and the team found themselves engulfed in flames even before they could begin firefighting efforts. Tragically, four members of the team, including fire watchers and PRD personnel, perished on the spot, while four others sustained severe burns. One critically injured worker has been referred to a higher center in Haldwani for further treatment.

Devastating Fire in Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary

The fire, reportedly started by unknown individuals, quickly spread through the forest. As the Forest Department's team arrived and started planning their firefighting strategy, they were surrounded by the blaze. Despite their best efforts, they could not escape the fire’s ferocity. Among the deceased were Binsar Range Officer Trilok Singh Mehta (40), daily wage worker Diwan Ram (35), fire watcher Karan Arya (21), and PRD personnel Puran Singh (50).

Four people have recently died in a forest fire in Binsar, Almora, bringing the total to eight fatalities in two months.

There is no action plan or preparation in place. The BJP government under Pushkar Dhami is clueless.#ForestFire #Uttarakhand #UttarakhandBurning pic.twitter.com/IXPu0eE4tC

— Anahat🇮🇳 (@AnahatSagar) June 13, 2024

Rescuers and Casualties

The fire also severely injured fire watcher Krishna Kumar (21), PRD personnel Kundan Singh Negi (44), vehicle driver Bhagwat Singh Bhoj (38), and daily wage worker Kailash Bhatt (54). Upon learning that the team was trapped, Forest Area Officer Manoj Sanwal and other employees conducted a rescue operation, extracting the injured from the inferno and transporting them to Almora's base hospital. Following primary treatment, Krishna Kumar and Kundan Negi were transferred to STH Haldwani for advanced care. Medical Superintendent Ashok Kumar reported that two of the injured have burns exceeding fifty percent and have been referred to higher centers for treatment, while two others are receiving care at the base hospital.

Rising Toll from Forest Fires in Almora

With this latest incident, the death toll from forest fires in Almora district has risen to nine. Earlier, on May 3, a fire in Syunrakot claimed the lives of two men and two women, who were married couples. On May 16, a villager in Someshwar's Khaikatta perished while trying to extinguish another blaze.

CM Pushkar Singh Dhami Expresses Condolences

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed profound sorrow over the deaths of the four forest workers in Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary. He ordered the immediate airlifting of the four severely injured workers to Haldwani base hospital and, if necessary, to AIIMS Rishikesh for further treatment. The CM described the incident as heart-wrenching and assured that the entire Uttarakhand government stands with the bereaved families. Additionally, he announced a compensation of INR 1 million for the families of the deceased.