20230310 In Karnataka, forest department battles to douse fires
India Mar 10 2023 “Forest”
Dead : dead 0 or unknown Burnout : 0 or unknown Injured : injured 0 or unknown
In Karnataka, forest department battles to douse fires
Updated: 2023-03-10
MANGALURU: With rising temperatures and increasing incidents of forest fires, the forest staff are busy dousing several forest fires in the last 10 days. A majority of them are learnt to be creeping fires. On Wednesday, a forest fire near Arasinamakki was reported, and the same was brought under control.
Meanwhile, a fire was also reported at a private farm near Padil.
It is learnt the forest staff, along with locals, were successful in bringing forest fires reported at Ninnikallu, Neriya, and Charmadi in Belthangady taluk under control on Wednesday.
“Fire was noticed in dry grass. With help from locals, it was brought under control,” a forest official said.
Deputy conservator of forest (DCF), Mangaluru division, Dinesh Kumar Y K, said as the incidents of forest fires are being reported, efforts are on to douse the same. “It has been a continuous process over the last 10 days. Severe forest fires have been brought under control. In some areas, forest fires are being reported repeatedly. We are hoping for early showers for some respite,” he said, adding instances are mainly reported in Belthangady, Subrahmanya and Uppinangady ranges.
The DCF also inspected forest areas near Siribagilu and Yedekumeri on Wednesday, to ensure train movement is not affected. The railway staff are also keeping a watch.
An official engaged in the operations said that because of the rising temperatures, everything is like a burning material. “When we are almost done with one area, there is report of a forest fire in another area. Our staff are having a tough time reaching the spot. At times, it takes about 4-5 hours to reach the spot. Operations cannot be taken up during night hours. Elephant movement and mist during in the early hours add to the challenges. As the day progresses, say after 10am, heat and the wind speed increase. Some instances could be man-made. However, unnoticeable damages could be immense,” the official said.
As per the India Meteorological Department and Meteorological Centre, Bengaluru, Panambur recorded the highest maximum temperature of 38.8 degrees C in the state.
Web Source: The Times of India