IAF and Army Battle Massive Wildfires in Arunachal and Nagaland for Fifth Day

Since February 13, 2026, the blazes have spread across difficult mountainous terrain, necessitating a large-scale coordinated response involving heavy machinery and specialized aerial firefighting equipment.

In Arunachal Pradesh, the fire broke out near Walong in the Anjaw district, at an altitude of approximately 3,000 to 3,500 feet above sea level. The IAF reported that its helicopters have been operating on two fronts, dousing flames by dropping over 139,800 liters of water in the Walong sector alone, which has significantly helped stabilize the situation there. Simultaneously, in Nagaland’s iconic Dzukou Valley, MI-17 V5 helicopters are drawing water from a lake near Dimapur to combat the inferno despite steep slopes and gusty winds that complicate flight maneuvers.

A Guwahati-based defense spokesperson identified prolonged dry weather and the traditional practice of "Jhum cultivation" (slash-and-burn farming) as the primary triggers for these forest fires. The ongoing mission faces extreme challenges due to rugged geographical conditions and low visibility, requiring 24-hour surveillance and the use of specialized tools in areas where ground access is virtually impossible. While aerial sorties have proven effective in preventing further spread, authorities have issued a high alert across the region as dry conditions are expected to persist, keeping the risk of new flare-ups high.