Aerial firefighting operations are likely to commence on Sunday (December 14, 2025) as a wildfire raged in the picturesque Dzukou Valley in Nagaland for the third day, with strong winds expanding the affected area and pushing the flames towards Japfu mountain range, raising ecological and safety concerns, officials said.
The fire, which broke out on Friday (December 12, 2025), initially affected about 1.3 sq km of forest area. However, changing weather conditions and gusty winds have caused the blaze to spread further across the rugged and inaccessible terrain, an official of the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), Kohima, said.
The DDMA official said that following assessment of the fire, the district administration has decided to requisition a helicopter fitted with a 'bambi bucket' from the Indian Air Force through the Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA).
The aerial firefighting operation is expected to commence on Sunday (December 14), the official said.
Authorities said human intervention on the ground remains extremely limited due to steep slopes, dense vegetation and the isolated nature of the area. The affected zone falls under the forest land of Khonoma village located west of Kohima.
