Punjab stubble burning fires rose sharply on Diwali, with 1,152 active farm fire events detected on 8 November 2026. The spike reversed an earlier year-on-year decline. For more updates, see Punjab current affairs.
Quick answer: Punjab stubble burning fires reached 1,152 active farm fire events on Diwali, 8 November 2026, the highest daily count of the ongoing season. Sangrur recorded the most, at 194. The state’s cumulative count rose to 4,459, compared with 3,622 by the same date in 2025.
| Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Diwali count | 1,152 fires on 8 November 2026 |
| Previous day | 163 fires on 7 November |
| Highest district count | Sangrur: 194 fires |
| Seasonal total by 8 November | 4,459 in 2026; 3,622 in 2025 |
| Monitoring period | Begins on 15 September |
Why are Punjab farm fires in the news?
Punjab recorded 1,152 active farm fire events on 8 November, the highest single-day count of the ongoing season. The previous day had recorded 163 events. Therefore, the Diwali count was nearly seven times higher.
The earlier seasonal daily peak was 584 fires on 3 November. In addition, the Diwali count amounted to 58.5 per cent of the 1,968 incidents recorded during the entire preceding week, from 1 to 7 November.
Satellite data tracks active fire events during the kharif paddy season, with monitoring starting on 15 September. However, it does not establish the motive or exact timing of individual burnings.
How did the year-on-year trend change?
The spike pushed the cumulative seasonal count above the corresponding 2025 figure. Until 7 November, Punjab had recorded 3,307 fires, compared with 3,384 in the corresponding period a year earlier. Thus, the state was 77 fires lower.
By 8 November, the 2026 tally had reached 4,459, against 3,622 on the same date in 2025. The increase was 837 fires, or 23.1 per cent. However, the 2026 total remained below the 6,029 recorded by the same date in 2024.
Which Punjab districts recorded the most fires?
Sangrur led the district count on 8 November with 194 fires. Ferozepur followed with 157, while Bathinda recorded 132. Patiala and Barnala reported 92 and 91, respectively.
Together, these five districts accounted for 666 fires, nearly 58 per cent of the state’s daily total. In addition, 20 of Punjab’s 23 districts reported more events than on the previous day. Gurdaspur, Pathankot and Rupnagar showed no change; no district reported a decline.
The recommended wheat sowing deadline of 15 November was approaching. However, the satellite data cannot confirm whether that pressure caused individual fires.
- District headquarters: Sangrur town is the headquarters of Sangrur district.
- State formation: The present state of Punjab was formed on 1 November 1966.
Source: Indian Express Chandigarh, 12 November 2026
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many farm fires were recorded in Punjab on Diwali 2026?
Punjab recorded 1,152 active farm fire events on 8 November 2026. This was the highest daily count of the ongoing season.
Which Punjab district had the most farm fires on Diwali?
Sangrur had the most, with 194 fires. Ferozepur followed with 157.
How did Punjab’s fire total compare with 2025?
The total by 8 November 2026 was 23.1 per cent higher than on the corresponding date in 2025. It rose from 3,622 to 4,459.
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