9th, May, 2022
Topic: To Combat Forest Fires
Importance: Himachal HPAS Prelims and Mains
What is the news?
- Fireball proposal mooted to check forest fires in Himachal.
Purpose:
- To effectively deal with fire incidents, including forest fires, a campaign to adopt the use of fireballs containing a gaseous substance, which has the ability to douse the fire, has been mooted.
About Fireballs:
- Useful in far-flung areas
- Fireballs are one of the latest technologies for extinguishing fire. Compared to the use of bulky fire fighting equipment that can’t be taken to far-flung areas, fireballs can be effectively used at all places.
How fireballs works and how it is different from conventional method?
- A fireball, when thrown into a fire, explodes within a few seconds and releases a gaseous substance that effectively douses the flames. Sharma has sent the proposal to the state government, which, if approved, will revolutionize firefighting in the state.
- As against the conventional method that requires maintenance of the equipment and regular training of the staff, the use of fireballs can also prevent injury to firemen as these are easy to operate and do not require any formal training.
Forest fire incidents:
- Nearly 136 forest fire incidents have taken place in Solan district till April 28 and property worth Rs 7.14 lakh has been destroyed. A maximum of 51 fire incidents has been witnessed in Solan, 23 in Baddi, 19 each in Arki and Parwanoo, 15 in Banalgi and nine in Nalagarh, says Sharma, who looks after the fire services.
(Source: The Tribune)
