Aizawl, Feb. 11 -- Mizoram witnessed at least 3,612 fire incidents last year, affecting 3,917.74 hectares, including 94.5 hectares of forest land, according to data released by the state's Environment, Forests & Climate Change (EF&CC) Department during the inauguration of Fire Prevention Week on Monday.
The EF&CC department recorded 116 forest fires. Jhum burning-practised by tribal communities for shifting cultivation-was responsible for 3,496 incidents, destroying 3,823.24 hectares.
According to the state's Fire & Emergency Services (F&ES) Directorate, 278 houses were gutted, and 22 people lost their lives in fire incidents between 2018 and 2024. Last year alone, 40 houses were destroyed, resulting in four fatalities.
The highest numbe...