The wildfire in Nagaland's Dzükou Valley entered its eighth day on Monday, with authorities claiming the blaze has been largely contained though fresh flare-ups continue in isolated pockets near Mount Tempfü and Mount Merata.

Kohima Deputy Commissioner B Henok Buchem said the fire, which broke out on January 26, is now mostly confined to areas below and around Mount Tempfü, with the main valley remaining unaffected and free from immediate fire hazards.

Multi-Agency Operation Underway

A comprehensive firefighting operation has been active since the fire began, involving over 150 personnel from multiple agencies. The fire near the helipad area has been completely contained, though fresh flare-ups persist in pockets around the mountain peaks.

Aerial Support Deployed

Two Indian Air Force helicopters have been engaged in the firefighting efforts, conducting three Bambi bucket sorties each on Saturday and Sunday. Additional sorties have been planned for Monday to address remaining fire spots.

Terrain Poses Challenges

Manual firefighting efforts have been limited in certain areas due to the rugged terrain and inaccessibility of fire spots, particularly behind Mount Tempfü. The difficult topography has necessitated increased reliance on aerial firefighting support.

Ecologically Sensitive Zone

Dzükou Valley, straddling the Nagaland-Manipur border, is renowned for its rich biodiversity and the endemic Dzükou lily. The valley has witnessed similar devastating fires in previous years, including major incidents in 2015, 2020, and most recently in December 2025, raising concerns about the ecological impact on this fragile Himalayan ecosystem.

Authorities continue monitoring the situation as firefighting operations progress toward full containment.