Pune: Massive Forest Fire in Purandar’s Pingori Destroys 1,500 Acres, Farmers Suffer Losses

A massive forest fire in Pingori village of Purandar Taluka has triggered widespread concern after rapidly spreading across the region within a few hours. The blaze consumed nearly 1,500 acres of forest land, reducing vast stretches of vegetation to ashes. Farmers also suffered losses as fodder stored for livestock was destroyed, with damages estimated at around ₹1.5 lakh. Such recurring incidents, often linked to negligence, are placing immense pressure on both the environment and administrative systems. The dry summer conditions worsened the situation, allowing the fire to intensify quickly and spread uncontrollably across the hilly terrain.

The flames soon took a fierce form, engulfing the mountain ranges around Pingori as thick plumes of smoke filled the sky, creating panic among residents. Local officials, including Police Patil Rahul Shinde and Sarpanch Sandeep Yadav, alerted the forest department, prompting an immediate response. However, by the time teams reached the site, thousands of trees, shrubs, and grasslands had already been destroyed. Forest personnel battled the blaze for several hours, risking their lives to contain it. According to officials, the fire initially broke out on a private hill in Sakurde and later spread towards government forest land, raising concerns about further escalation.

Soon after, another fire erupted near the Khandoba temple in the Kavadewadi area, intensifying the crisis and alarming nearby villagers. The situation remained critical until late afternoon, with firefighting teams working tirelessly to bring the flames under control by around 4 pm. The repeated occurrence of such fires has sparked anger among locals, who blame negligence for the destruction. Environmentalists warn that these incidents not only destroy trees but also threaten wildlife habitats, birds, reptiles, and the overall biodiversity of the region, causing long-term ecological damage that may take years to recover.

Meanwhile, a farmer from Kavadewadi, Maruti Yadav, suffered a major setback as nearly 2,000 bundles of stored fodder were completely burnt in the fire. The loss has created a severe challenge for livestock survival during the peak summer season. Officials estimated the financial damage at approximately ₹1.25 lakh, and a formal assessment has been conducted by local authorities, who have forwarded a proposal for government compensation. Incidents of forest fires have increased significantly in the Pingori area since the onset of summer, with a similar blaze reported recently in Tukainagar, which was fortunately controlled in time due to alert villagers.

Expressing concern, Sarpanch Sandeep Yadav stated that awareness campaigns are conducted regularly to prevent such fires, but careless actions by travelers often lead to these dangerous incidents. He emphasized that the lack of firefighting equipment at the ग्रामपंचायत level hampers quick response efforts in rural areas. Urging government intervention, he called for better infrastructure and resources to tackle fire emergencies effectively. The incident once again highlights the urgent need for stricter preventive measures, improved preparedness, and collective responsibility to protect forest resources and rural livelihoods from recurring disasters.