Patiala, Nov. 5 -- As many as 11 of Punjab's 23 districts have recorded an increase in farm fire incidents compared with the corresponding period last year, even as the overall number of stubble-burning cases in the state has declined by 17.3%, according to the latest district-wise data compiled by the state government.

Gurdaspur has witnessed the sharpest increase, with farm fire incidents more than doubling from 58 during the corresponding period last year to 118 this year. Tarn Taran, another major contributor to the state's farm fires, has also reported a rise, from 506 cases in 2025 to 558 this year.

Other districts reporting an increase include Ferozepur, where cases rose from 296 to 316; Barnala (66 to 83); Faridkot (52 to 67); F...