Archive · 31 Jan 2026
IAF Helicopters Combat Forest Fire in Arunachal Pradesh
A big fire in the forest of Lohit Valley in Arunachal Pradesh is being fought by the Indian Air Force using special helicopters.
These helicopters, called Mi-17V5, are dropping water from high up in the sky to put out the fire.
The area is very high and hard to reach, so the helicopters are helping where people on the ground can't go.
The army and local forest officials are also helping in this effort.
This is similar to another fire-fighting operation that happened recently in a nearby state called Nagaland.
IAF deployed Mi-17V5 helicopters to combat a massive forest fire in Arunachal Pradesh's Lohit Valley.
Helicopters dropped nearly 12,000 litres of water over fire-hit zones at an altitude of around 9,500 feet.
The operation was conducted in challenging terrain with steep slopes and thick forest cover.
Army units and state forest officials joined the effort to combat the fire.
This mission follows a similar wildfire operation in the Khonoma-Dzukou Valley in Nagaland.
- Who
- Indian Air Force, Army units, State forest officials
- What
- Aerial firefighting operation to combat a massive forest fire
- When
- Recently, following a similar operation in Nagaland
- Where
- Lohit Valley, Arunachal Pradesh
- Why
- To douse flames in difficult, high-altitude terrain
- Location
- Lohit Valley, Arunachal Pradesh
- Helicopters Used
- Mi-17V5
- Water Dropped
- 12,000 litres
- Altitude
- 9,500 feet
- Involved Parties
- Indian Air Force, Army units, State forest officials