IAF Continues to Douse Forest Fire in Uttarakhand

• 09 May 2024

Why in News?

Recently, The Uttarakhand government informed the Supreme Court that the forest fire emergency is no longer present, with only 15 small to intermediate fires reported.

Key Points

• The Chief Minister emphasized the need for an efficient strategy to gather 'Pirul' (pine leaves) from the forests.
  • He urged all residents of the State to participate in a widespread campaign to collect Pirul and safeguard the surrounding forests.
• Additionally, he mentioned that the government is implementing the 'Pirul Lao-Paise Pao' initiative to incentivize the collection of pine leaves and prevent forest fires.
  • Under this mission, Pirul will be purchased at the collection centre at the rate of ₹50/kg with the aim of reducing forest fire. 
• Meanwhile, the Indian Air Force (IAF) continues to help the State in dousing forest fires. It has taken 23 sorties, for 11 and half hours and used 44,600 litres of water to douse the raging forest flames in the mountain.
  • In response to the raging forest fires at the Pauri Garhwal sector in Uttarakhand, the IAF provided much-needed relief by undertaking Bambi Bucket operations by its Mi17 V5 helicopters.

Bambi Bucket operation

• The Bambi Bucket, also called a helicopter bucket or a heli bucket, is a specialised container that is suspended by cable under a chopper, and which can be filled by lowering into a river or pond before being flown above a fire and discharged aerially by opening a valve at the bottom of the bucket.
• The Bambi Bucket is especially helpful in fighting wildfires that are difficult or impossible to reach from the ground. Around the world, helicopters are frequently commissioned to fight forest fires.