IAF deploys choppers to douse Nagaland forest fire

New Delhi: The IAF has deployed two of its helicopters equipped with large-size buckets to douse widespread fire in forests of Mount Japfu in Nagaland raging since 31 January. According to the IAF, “This is the first time in the history of our country that helicopters are being utilised for fighting forest fires.”[caption id=“attachment_1375767” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  An IAF Mi-17 V5 chopper. Image courtesy PIB[/caption] A Mi-17 V5 helicopter, flying from morning till evening, managed to undertake five sorties and was instrumental in dowsing part of the fire which was in two inaccessible pockets of about 1-2 square km each. Owing to the extent of the fire and destruction caused by it, the Air Force decided to press in one more Mi-17 V5 for the task. “Massive and widespread fires had been devouring the pristine forests close to Mt Japfu in Kohima and causing widespread destruction to the flora and fauna. After request from the state administration, the newly acquired Mi-17 V5 helicopter was pressed into action using the Forest Fire Fighting Equipment, called ‘The Bambi Bucket’,” an IAF release said in New Delhi. Due to the raging fire, a large portion of forested area east of Mt Japfu is largely inaccessible by foot and continues to smolder. The helicopters positioned at Rangapahar, near Dimapur, first carried out aerial sorties for the assessment of the area, the extent of the fire and an open source of water. “Having identified a small lake near Dimapur as the source, the helicopter dunked a collapsible Bambi Bucket in the lake and hauled up about 2500 kg of water. With the Bambi bucket which was hanging about 25 m below its belly, the helicopter dispensed its load of 2500 kg of water over the raging fires below, at a height of 10,000 feet,” the release said. PTI