Srinagar, Dec 31: Jammu and Kashmir recorded 6,039 fire incidents in 2025, marking a significant decline from the previous year and pointing to improved fire safety and emergency response across the Union Territory.
Official data released by the Fire and Emergency Services Department at a year-end press conference on Wednesday showed a reduction of 1,994 incidents compared to 2024, when 8,033 fire cases were reported.
Assistant Director Fire and Emergency Services Aqib Hussain Mir said the overall decline of nearly 25 percent was the result of sustained preventive measures, improved preparedness and growing public participation.
“This reduction did not happen overnight. It is the outcome of continuous awareness campaigns, better deployment strategies and quicker response on the ground,” Mir said.
According to the figures, Fire and Emergency Services responded to 6,039 fire calls during the year and conducted 59 rescue operations. A total of 322 fire tenders and quick response vehicles were pressed into service, supported by 2,157 personnel deployed across cities, towns and remote areas of the Union Territory.
Officials said timely intervention helped save property worth nearly Rs 5,000 crore during 2025, while losses were limited to around Rs 300 crore. They said the figures reflect improved coordination and faster first response, particularly in densely populated urban areas.
Public awareness remained a key focus area. By December 2025, the department had organised 9,887 awareness programmes in schools, colleges, hospitals, nursing homes, government offices and commercial establishments, reaching over 10.3 lakh people.
“The idea is simple. If people know how to respond in the first few minutes, the scale of damage can be drastically reduced,” Mir said, adding that special emphasis was laid on the safe use of electrical appliances, heating devices and basic firefighting techniques at the household level.
Officials said additional preventive measures were taken during the winter months, with fire tenders, pumps and quick response vehicles stationed at identified vulnerable locations to reduce response time.
As per official figures, 3,728 fire safety audits were conducted in hospitals, hotels, educational institutions, government buildings and commercial complexes, resulting in recommendations to strengthen evacuation plans, firefighting infrastructure and compliance with safety norms.
Beyond routine operations, the department also played a critical role during recent flood-like situations in Anantnag and Srinagar, carrying out search, rescue and dewatering operations at more than 60 locations. Fire service teams were also deployed during Operation Sindoor in border districts including Poonch, Uri, Sopore and Kupwara, and provided extensive safety cover during the Shri Amarnathji Yatra 2025 by establishing over 30 temporary fire stations along the Baltal and Pahalgam routes.