A major fire broke out on Monday in the pine forests of Kharara ghat along Shimla–Mandi National highway, engulfing a dense forest within a few minutes and causing massive green cover loss. There have been no casualties so far. <br /><br />A senior forest department official said the fire, which started at around 5 pm, was put out by 10.30 pm. <br /><br />Principal Conservator of Forests Ajay Srivastav said due to dry spells and rising temperature, the forest fires have caused a massive loss. He added that villagers are sometimes responsible for the surface fires as they believe it will help them get good quality fodder after monsoons.<br /><br />Till now, 15,824 hectares of forest cover have been damaged in the hill state.<br /><br />video credit: Ashwani Sharma
