Uttarakhand Forest Fires in 2026 Are 80% More Frequent Than the Last Decade

Uttarakhand forest fires in 2026 are burning 80% more frequently than in any previous decade, raising urgent alarms about climate change and forest management across the state.

Forest fires in Uttarakhand in 2026 are 80% more frequent than the decade-long average from 2014 to 2024. Between November 2025 and February 2026, the state forest department recorded 54 fire incidents affecting around 42 hectares of forest. That figure already exceeds the first-quarter totals of most previous years, and the fire season typically intensifies through April and May before monsoon rains arrive.

According to data published by Down to Earth, fire activity in forested regions during early 2026 was over 50% higher than in 2024, which itself was the warmest year on record. The intensity of fires — measured by the rate of thermal energy released during burning — has also increased compared to previous years.

Uttarakhand Forest Fires: Year-by-Year

Why 2026 Is Different

The Himalayan states of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand are seeing spikes in fire intensity that climate scientists attribute to drier winters, lower humidity in the forest floor litter layer, and earlier onset of summer heat. Uttarakhand’s forests carry a heavy load of pine needle accumulation, which acts as fuel. When temperatures rise early in the season, the dry needle beds ignite more readily.

The 2026 summer heat wave reaching Dehradun and surrounding areas in April — with temperatures crossing 38°C — creates exactly the conditions where forest fires spread quickly. A single spark from a campfire, an agricultural burn, or an electrical fault on a forest-edge power line is enough to ignite multiple hectares within hours under these conditions.

Where Fires Are Occurring

Fires are reported across the Garhwal and Kumaon divisions of Uttarakhand, with higher-elevation chir pine forests particularly vulnerable. The Forest Survey of India tracks large fire events via satellite, and the FSI Forest Fire portal provides near-real-time state-level data on active incidents and affected areas.

Rajaji National Park, adjacent to Dehradun, is one of the zones monitored closely. The park’s dry deciduous and sal forests are less susceptible to fire than the higher-altitude pine forests, but fires in buffer zones can threaten wildlife habitat and push animals into human-occupied areas.

The Human Factor

Research consistently shows that a large proportion of Uttarakhand’s forest fires are human-caused rather than natural. Agricultural burn practices along forest boundaries, deliberate fires set to encourage new grass growth for livestock, and inadequately extinguished campfires are all contributing factors. Forest guards — who are among the lowest-paid personnel in the state forest service — face inadequate equipment and delayed salaries, further limiting firefighting effectiveness.

What This Means for Dehradun

For Dehradun residents, forest fires in the surrounding hills mean days of smoke-laden air, worsened visibility, and increased respiratory stress. The city’s air quality index spikes during active fire periods in nearby forest zones. Residents with asthma or respiratory conditions should monitor air quality alerts and limit outdoor activity on days when smoke is visibly entering the city.

The state’s forest fire response system has control rooms active through the fire season. Citizens who spot fires in forests near Dehradun should call the forest department helpline immediately rather than waiting for smoke to be noticed from urban areas. Early reporting significantly improves the chances of controlling a fire before it spreads across multiple hectares.

What You Can Do About Uttarakhand Forest Fires

Uttarakhand forest fires pose a serious threat to biodiversity, air quality, and communities near affected zones. Citizens can report fires via the state fire helpline. For more on Dehradun and Uttarakhand news, visit Hello Doon.