A wildfire broke out in the Khonoma–Dzükou valley on Friday morning, burning an estimated 1.8 sq. km of forest and wildlife habitat before it subsided by nightfall, local authorities confirmed.
The blaze, believed to have been sparked by a group of young trekkers camping inside the Khonoma Nature Conservation and Tragopan Sanctuary (KNCTS), sent dense smoke columns rising over the region. The flames were visible from several locations, including Kohima village, where residents reported seeing the valley glowing late into the night.
Smoke was also observed from Sechü Zubza, while ash and charred vegetation were carried by winds into parts of Kohima on Friday afternoon.
KNCTS chairman Angulie Meyase told Nagaland Post that the fire had “dissipated” by evening, though volunteers from Khonoma would continue patrolling the area for days to ensure no fresh flare ups occur.
The fire was first detected around 10:45 a.m., with local trek guides simultaneously alerting authorities.
Preliminary assessments indicate the blaze began at Neibu Zie, where the trekkers had set up camp. Meyase said the fire originated directly from their campsite, calling it an act of “carelessness.”
The trekkers had reportedly entered the sanctuary without mandatory permission from the Eco Tourism Management Committee and without hiring a local guide, both violations of established rules. Meyase said the group had acknowledged their lapse and would meet village authorities soon.
Officials from the Kohima district administration, police, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Dobashis, village authorities and fire service personnel were on the ground Friday, assessing the wildfire at Khonoma–Dzükou valley and coordinating containment efforts. The incident has revived memories of the devastating December 2020 Dzükou blaze, which destroyed nearly 15 sq. km of forest, and has renewed concerns over visitor negligence and the vulnerability of the valley’s ecosystem. Conservation groups have reiterated the need for stricter trekking regulations and enforcement within the sanctuary.
Deputy Commissioner Kohima, B. Henok Buchem, NCS, confirmed that four trekkers stranded in the area were safely rescued by response teams.
District officials are currently stationed at the base camp, jointly monitoring the situation with the Khonoma Youth Organisation (KYO) and the Western Angami Youth Organisation (WAYO). The DC said a joint team comprising officials from the Home Department, district administration, State Disaster Management Authority and Khonoma village representatives will conduct an aerial survey on Saturday to assess the fire’s spread and identify priority zones for intervention.
Authorities have decided to deploy counter fire techniques to prevent further expansion of the blaze. Chopper based firefighting operations are also scheduled to begin Saturday morning to tackle flames in inaccessible terrain. Ground based preventive measures have been ruled out due to the valley’s remote location and dense forest cover, which officials said make such operations impractical.
SAYO informs: The Southern Angami Youth Organisation (SAYO) on Friday announced an immediate suspension of all trekking to Dzükou valley as a precaution following the wildfire.
SAYO warned that the blaze could spread toward the Southern Dzükou region and said trekking would remain halted until the fire is fully extinguished and authorities deem the area safe. While expressing regret for the inconvenience to visitors, SAYO said the decision was necessary to ensure public safety. The suspension comes as multiple agencies and volunteers continue efforts to monitor and contain the wildfire, renewing concerns over the valley’s vulnerability to such incidents.