2016 Uttarakhand forest fires

The 2016 Uttarakhand forest fires were a series of devastating wildfires that affected the Indian state of Uttarakhand in the spring of 2016. Beginning in late April, the fires rapidly spread across vast forest areas, particularly in the districts of Pauri Garhwal, Nainital, and Champawat. Contributing factors included prolonged dry conditions, high temperatures, and the accumulation of dry leaves and debris in the forests. The fires raised significant concerns regarding environmental degradation, wildlife habitat destruction, and loss of biodiversity. The Indian government deployed firefighting teams and utilized aerial assistance to combat the spread. The incident underscored the vulnerabilities of forest ecosystems to climate variability and human activities.