Dharamshala, May 20 -- The forest fire incidents in the Dharamshala forest circle have recorded a significant decline during the ongoing summer season this year, with only 12 incidents reported till May 19 compared to 70 incidents during the corresponding period in 2025-26.

Forest department officials attributed the decline to intermittent rainfall across the state this season, as well as close coordination with local residents and the administration for prevention and mitigation of forest fire incidents.

The Dharamshala forest circle comprises three forest divisions - Nurpur, Palampur and Dharamshala. According to data available on the Himachal Pradesh forest department's forest fire reporting portal, 88 forest fires have been reported...