Indian Air Force Mi-17 helicopters used Bambi Buckets to extinguish a forest fire in Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh, on Wednesday [1].
The operation prevented a rapidly spreading blaze from destroying critical forest land and threatening nearby human settlements. Because the fire erupted on steep terrain, aerial support was necessary to reach the heart of the blaze.
The fire broke out in the Gilbert Trail and Upper Mall area on the western slopes of Kasauli [2]. The Indian Army successfully contained the major fire on May 27, 2026 [3].
To combat the flames, the Indian Air Force deployed Mi-17 helicopters equipped with Bambi Buckets, which are large collapsible containers used to drop water on remote fires [1]. These aerial assets worked in coordination with the Indian Army, local forest teams, and civil authorities to bring the situation under control [4].
"The Indian Army on Wednesday successfully contained a major forest fire that erupted in the Gilbert Trail and Upper Mall area on the western slopes of Kasauli," officials said [2].
While the primary blaze has been suppressed, emergency crews remain on site. A report noted that joint efforts of the IAF, Army, forest teams, and civil authorities had significantly brought the fire under control, though monitoring and mop-up operations continue [4].
The coordination between different military and civil branches allowed for a rapid response to the changing wind and terrain conditions. The use of specialized equipment like the Bambi Bucket minimized the risk to ground crews who would otherwise have to fight the fire on the steep slopes of the western region [1].
“IAF Mi-17 helicopters used Bambi Buckets to extinguish a forest fire in Kasauli.”
The deployment of the Indian Air Force alongside the Army highlights a coordinated inter-agency approach to disaster management in the Himalayas. Using aerial water-bombing via Mi-17 helicopters is critical in this region, where rugged terrain often makes ground-based firefighting impossible or too dangerous for personnel.
