IAF's Mi-17V5 copters douse forest fire in Arunachal Pradesh
India
On March 10, 2026, the Indian Air Force (IAF) sent a Mi-17V5 helicopter to help control a big forest fire near Pasighat in Arunachal Pradesh.
Local teams were struggling with the tough terrain, so the IAF stepped up, dropping 66,000-liter of water over multiple sorties to protect nearby communities.
IAF's river-water drops used in aerial firefighting
This isn't a one-off: the IAF has been battling fires across Arunachal since February, even flying into high-altitude spots like Lohit Valley where ground access is difficult.
Their river-water drops have been used in some operations as an aerial firefighting tactic.