Farm fires in Punjab reach 2,787, including 586 cases from Tarn Taran

Representative image only. File | Photo credit: ANI

“The number of farm fires in Punjab between September 15 and November 5, 2026 has reached 2,787 this year, with Tarn Taran recording 586 cases and Ferozepur 361,” official data said on Friday (November 6, 2026).

On November 4, 2026, there were 2,347 cases of stubble burning, according to the data. Till Thursday (November 5, 2026), there were 221 farm fires in Amritsar, 216 in Bathinda, 240 in Sangrur and 156 in Patiala.

Authorities have so far imposed fines totaling over ₹46 crore as environmental compensation in 914 cases of stubble burning, with over ₹24 crore already recovered. Officials registered 710 FIRs related to stubble burning, including 294 in Tarn Taran under Section 223 (disobeying orders promulgated by public servant) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

The annual farm fire monitoring season begins on September 15, two weeks before rice paddy purchases begin on October 1. Taking a serious view of the “very high” number of farm fires, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Wednesday (Nov 4, 2026) met senior bureaucrats and police officers from 12 districts to review steps to prevent stubble burning.

Rajesh Verma, Chairman, CAQM in NCR and Adjacent Areas chaired the meeting through video conferencing with Secretary of State for Environment; Secretary, Agriculture and Deputy Commissioners (DC) and Senior Superintendents of Police (SSP) of 12 districts.

The commission ordered that monitoring and enforcement be stepped up and officers at nodal points held accountable for failure to monitor and prevent farm fires.

Published – November 6, 2026 5:25 PM IST