Nagaland: Khonoma–Dzükou wildfire continues; aerial ops planned

The wildfire in the Khonoma–Dzükou Valley continued to burn on Saturday in isolated and inaccessible mountainous terrain, with officials stating that direct human intervention remains difficult due to steep slopes and dense vegetation.
Officials from Khonoma village told Nagaland Post that many of the affected areas cannot be physically accessed, prompting authorities to intensify monitoring using drones. A risk assessment meeting involving Khonoma leaders and the district administration was held on Saturday to review the evolving situation.
Khonoma Nature Conservation and Tragopan Sanctuary (KNCTS) chairman Angulie Meyase said the fire had not fully dissipated as anticipated and was continuing to burn slowly, destroying vegetation along its path. He said the blaze had moved towards Hophera Thi, near the Jotsoma–Khonoma border, raising concerns of further spread into difficult terrain.
Deputy Commissioner Kohima, B. Henok Buchem, informed that the district administration is requisitioning aerial firefighting support, including the use of a Bambi bucket for helicopter operations, which is expected to commence from Sunday morning to address the fire in inaccessible areas. Ground-level firefighting efforts remained limited on Saturday due to the hazardous terrain, which officials said posed serious risks to volunteers. However, volunteers are expected to continue patrol and monitoring duties.
The wildfire, which originated in the western sector of Dzükou Valley, was first detected on December 12 and spread rapidly across the ecologically sensitive forest and wildlife habitat before partially subsiding by Friday night. Dzükou Valley, located along the Nagaland–Manipur border, is known for its rare flora, alpine meadows and trekking routes.
Officials have cautioned that dry vegetation and the valley’s terrain make it highly vulnerable to fast-spreading fires during dry conditions.