Historical Perspective Inferno as Disaster

Kashmir has a long history of devastating inferno incidents, both in ancient times and in recent years, impacting communities, heritage sites, housing, livestock, economy, infrastructure and the environment. Historically, Kashmir's architecture heavily relied on wood, making structures particularly susceptible to fires. The cold climate necessitated the use of fire for heating, which combined with wooden construction, increased fire risks. Notable historical fire incidents include the burning of Srinagar in 1324 AD by Zulchu (Zulqadar Khan), a descendant of Halagu, causing extensive destruction and loss of life. The Jamia Masjid in Srinagar faced destruction due to fires multiple times, with the current structure reconstructed by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb in 1672 CE. Significant fires also occurred in the 19th and early 20th centuries, including incidents in 1850, 1875, 1877, 1892, 1899, 1908, 1913, 1917, and 1921, leading to substantial loss of property and life. Devastating fires of Batamaloo in 1965 and Charar Sharief in 1995 also had its impact on the housing, infrastructure and religious sites. Fire incidents in the Kashmir Valley have been a persistent issue, as both historical and recent events show the region's vulnerability to such disasters. A notable fire occurred on April 25, 1992, in the Safa Kadal area of Srinagar, destroying around 250 houses and shops due to an electrical short-circuit. This incident left many homeless and resulted in extensive property damage. Another significant fire took place in December 1995 in Bandipora market, which resulted in the loss of over 100 shops and homes, linked again to faulty wiring. In January 2010, a fire in Srinagar's Bohri Kadal destroyed more than 50 structures, highlighting a lack of fire safety measures in densely populated areas. Official records from 2021 revealed 2,711 fire incidents in Jammu and Kashmir, damaging 1,711 homes and 347 shops, with losses surpassing 61 crore rupees. The region has also faced forest fires, including a significant wildfire in Kupwara in 2018 that burned over 1,000 hectares due to dry conditions and human negligence.

Series of Recent Fires

In recent times, Kashmir has continued to experience severe fire incidents affecting residential areas, forests, and industrial units. On March 20, 2025, a massive fire in the Gujnag Kadipora area of Anantnag district destroyed nearly 20 residential houses, leaving hundreds homeless during Ramadan. Just days later, on March 24, a significant fire in the Jalal Sahib area of Baramulla district engulfed multiple residential houses, causing widespread damage. On February 17, 2025, Kashmir faced a severe environmental crisis as forest fires broke out in multiple districts, including Tral, Gulshanpora, Panner, Nahwadi Pinglish, and Karmula, amid a prolonged dry spell. Earlier, in January 2025, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) issued a warning of a very high risk of forest fires in Jammu and Kashmir due to prolonged dry conditions. In the first week of the year, Kashmir witnessed 41 fire incidents, with nine reported in Srinagar alone, many attributed to the extensive use of heating devices during the cold season. In December 2024, a massive fire in Bijbehara devastated three industrial units, marking the fourth major fire incident in Kashmir's industrial estates in recent months. Several factors contribute to the frequency and severity of fires in Kashmir. Prolonged dry spells have increased the susceptibility of forests and grasslands to fires. The prevalent use of wood in building construction heightens the risk of rapid fire spread in residential areas, while widespread use of heating devices, especially during winter, has been linked to numerous residential fire incidents. The impact of these fires is profound, leading to loss of life, destruction of property, displacement of communities, and significant environmental degradation. Forest fires, in particular, threaten biodiversity, reduce forest cover, and contribute to climate change. Addressing the fire disaster challenges in Kashmir requires a multifaceted approach. Public awareness campaigns can educate communities about fire risks, safe heating practices, and emergency response strategies to reduce the incidence of accidental fires. Improved construction practices, including the use of fire-resistant materials and designs, can help mitigate fire spread. Forest management measures, such as creating firebreaks, controlled burning, and monitoring forest health, can aid in preventing and controlling forest fires. Enhancing emergency services with better equipment, training, and infrastructure, especially in remote areas, can improve response times and effectiveness. By understanding the historical context and addressing current challenges, Kashmir can develop more effective strategies to mitigate the devastating impact of fire disasters on its communities and environment.

Destruction Caused by Fires

More recent fire incidents have continued to occur in the Valley, with several impactful events in 2024 and early 2025. In January 2024, a major fire in Srinagar's Nawa Kadal area destroyed 12 houses and a mosque, displacing many families in winter, likely due to a gas cylinder explosion. In October 2024, a fire in Mulwarwan village destroyed about 80 houses, giving residents little time to save their belongings before winter. A devastating fire on March 24, 2025, in Baramulla's Old Town damaged over 21 houses, leaving 33 families homeless, with initial reports suggesting an electrical fault as the cause. Just days later, on March 27, 2025, another fire in Kadipora, Anantnag, razed over 40 homes, spreading rapidly because of congested housing and dry weather. Additionally, a forest fire in Bandipora's Arin block, reported ongoing as of March 31, 2025, is threatening important ecological areas due to dry vegetation and strong winds. Data from January to November 2023 reported over 2,200 fire incidents across Kashmir, resulting in damage to 1,462 structures and claiming nine lives, along with 36 forest fires, indicating an increase in frequency. Both past and recent incidents reveal common causes: electrical faults, wooden structures, and dry climates are key triggers, while congested layouts and inadequate firefighting resources worsen the effects. Historical fires, like those in Safa Kadal and Bohri Kadal, reflect recent patterns in Baramulla and Anantnag, showing minimal progress in tackling the root issues. Forest fires, a persistent threat, have worsened in scale, with recent incidents in Bandipora echoing past ecological damage seen in Kupwara. The economic and human losses clear in the losses from 2021 and families displaced in 2025show an ongoing crisis requiring stronger prevention and response strategies to end the cycle of destruction.

Reoccurrence of Fires in Recent Times

The recurrent fires in the Kashmir Valley arise from a mix of environmental, structural, social, and human factors that create a fire-prone area, especially in dry winters. Long dry spells lower vegetation moisture, making it highly flammable, while strong winds exacerbate fire spread. Old electrical systems often trigger incidents, and traditional wooden buildings catch fire easily, leaving little room for containment. Human negligence contributes significantly, with risky heating methods and careless behaviors resulting in large fires. The lack of a formal fire safety policy allows unsafe situations to persist, while firefighting services struggle with limited resources and inadequate public infrastructure. Socio-economic factors, such as poverty and high population density, further increase fire risks. All these elements trap the Valley in a destructive cycle, as seen through ongoing residential losses and forest fires, signaling a need for urgent action to enhance fire safety standards, firefighting resources, public education, and climate adaptability. Fire has become a frequent disaster in the Kashmir Valley, damaging lives, property, and the environment. The region's socio-economic and climatic conditions turn fire incidents into major disasters, especially in winter. Fires are often caused by electrical faults, gas leaks, unattended heating devices, or human negligence, spreading quickly due to use of modern inflammable materials, wood, congested development, and dry weather. This has resulted into extensive damages in homes, loss of livelihoods, and burning of large forest areas , severely affecting biodiversity ,environment and local economies. Recent fires have had serious consequences. In March 2025, fires in Baramulla and Anantnag destroyed many homes, displacing numerous families. Over the last three years, forest fires damaged more than 7,265 hectares across 3,103 incidents, threatening the environment. Economic losses were significant as property damage in 2021 alone exceeded 61 crore rupees, resulting in the destruction of 1,711 houses and 347 shops. The emotional and social effects are also severe, as families lose homes that have been in their families for generations while trying to recover from hardship. The situation is worsened by several systemic issues. Narrow streets in cities like Srinagar make firefighting difficult, while old electrical systems, use of modern inflammable materials and a lack of fire-resistant materials aggravate the rapid spread of fires. In rural areas, dry vegetation and wind can quickly turn small fires into large ones. Climate change makes things worse by extending dry conditions, increasing vulnerability for both human settlements and natural ecosystems. Without action, the fire risk will continue to grow, outpacing the region's ability to respond.

Need for Fire Vulnerability Audit

A fire vulnerability audit is urgently needed in the Kashmir Valley to help address this disaster risk. This audit would assess fire risks, highlight high-risk areas, and suggest interventions. Identifying zones prone to fires, improving building safety with better materials, increasing public awareness, and enhancing the capability of the firefighting services are crucial steps. The lack of a formal fire safety policy also needs to be addressed to reduce risks. Recent incidents demonstrate the urgent need for this audit to turn fire management from reactive to proactive, protecting lives and the environment. The region's vulnerability arises from several issues. In urban areas, narrow streets, wooden buildings, and poor fire safety measures hinder effective responses. Downtown Srinagar is especially at risk due to its historic wooden structures and tangled wires. The absence of a formal fire safety policy and limited audit authority worsen the situation. In recent year increasing use of acrylic bedding, PVC paneling, synthetic matting, and furnishings has significantly worsened fire incidents in Kashmir. These materials are highly flammable, burn rapidly, and release toxic fumes like hydrogen chloride, intensifying fire damage and causing severe respiratory risks. Unlike traditional wood and mud homes, modern synthetic interiors contribute to faster fire spread and structural collapse. Narrow streets and congested settlements further exacerbate the problem. To mitigate risks, fire-resistant materials need to be promoted, building codes must restrict flammable interiors, and public awareness on fire hazards should increase. Strengthening fire response infrastructure is also crucial for damage control. In rural and forested regions, dry plants, long dry spells, and strong winds contribute to rapid fire spread. A significant wildfire in Bandipora’s Arin forest, reported on March 31, 2025, threatens a vital ecosystem, exacerbated by climate change. Recent fires highlighted severe property losses. The Baramulla fire on March 24, 2025, destroyed many homes, while another fire in Anantnag left families homeless. Fires in 2021 damaged over 1,700 houses in Jammu and Kashmir, causing billions in losses. Systemic gaps in emergency preparedness persist, and without significant improvements in safety measures and technology, the region remains at risk of further devastation.

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