Around 15-20 acres of forest area was destroyed by fire in Hattikuni forest area in Yadgir district on Sunday night. Forest Officials, who rushed to the spot immediately after receiving information, extinguished the fire with the help of local people.
The incident was noticed by the locals and forest guards around 8 p.m. on Sunday. The fire was doused after a four-hour struggle by the forest staff and local people, A.B. Patil, Assistant Conservative Forest Officer, told The Hindu on Monday.
“It was past midnight when the fire-fighting operation ended. Thanks to those who extended their co-operation in the exercise,” he said. The place where the incident occurred is around 1.5-2 km from the main road. It was difficult for the Fire and Emergency Services personnel to reach the place. Hence, the Forest Department had to depend on the forest staff and the local people in tackling the fire.
To a question, Mr. Patil said that “it was ground fire and it did not cause damage to trees and animals.” He, however, said that they would register a case under Forest Act and conduct a detailed inquiry to ascertain the reasons for it.
Channamallappa Ghanti, Tahsildar of Yadgir, and senior forest officials were present.
