The Indian Army and Indian Air Force contained a major forest fire in Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh, following a prolonged joint operation.
The coordinated response prevented the blaze from spreading further across the western slopes of the region, protecting critical terrain near the Air Force Station in the Solan district.
Firefighting efforts focused on the Gilbert Trail and Upper Mall areas, where difficult mountainous terrain hindered ground access. The Indian Air Force utilized "Bambi bucket" aerial drops to suppress the flames from above while the Indian Army worked on the ground [1], [2]. These military units were assisted by local administration, fire brigade teams, and forest officials [1].
Reports on the duration of the operation vary slightly. One source said the effort lasted over 15 hours [1], while another reported the operation took 16 hours [3]. The operation began overnight and continued into the following day.
Financial losses resulting from the fire are estimated at ₹67 lakh [2]. The blaze required a high level of inter-agency coordination to manage the risks posed by the steep geography, and dense vegetation of the Kasauli hills.
Officials said the combination of aerial assaults and ground-level containment was necessary to crush the inferno before it could reach more populated or sensitive areas [2].
“The Indian Air Force utilized "Bambi bucket" aerial drops to suppress the flames from above”
The deployment of the Indian Air Force and Army for a regional forest fire highlights the necessity of military assets in managing environmental disasters in Himachal Pradesh's rugged terrain. The use of specialized equipment like Bambi buckets indicates that traditional ground-based firefighting is often insufficient for the steep slopes of the Solan district.
