Madugani forest fire wipes out acres of teak

Spark from wire may have set it off

A fire broke out in Madugani forest near Balehonnur in Koppa taluk on Monday, reportedly caused by a spark from an electric wire passing through the forest. It was the local people who noticed flames in a teak plantation around 11.30 a.m. and informed the Forest Department.

Within minutes, the fire spread over five to six acres at the ground level. Forest officials were able to douse the fire with the help of local people by afternoon.

Basavarajaiah, Deputy Conservator of Forests of Koppa division, told

The Hindu , “The electric line got cut and fell to the ground causing a spark. Our staff, local people, and officials from the power supply company put out the fire in a couple of hours,” he said.

When presspersons reached the spot, the local people alleged that the fire could have been extinguished faster had Forest Department officials responded to their phone calls immediately. There was no possibility of calling up fire tenders as the fire station is located about 40 km away at Koppa.