Daijiworld Media Network - Beltangady/Karkala/Sullia (MS)

Beltangady/Karkala/Sullia, Apr 19: Forest fires broke out in three coastal district areas, leading to the burning of trees and grass.

In the first incident, an accidental fire ignited on hills near Chandmoora of Laila village and Kurudya in Mundaje village of Beltangady on Thursday afternoon. Quick action by locals and fire service personnel brought it under control, preventing potential damage to nearby farms and houses.

In the second incident, plants were scorched at Uyyalepade of Hermunde Chinkaramale forest limits near Ajekaru in Karkala due to a forest fire. Around 50 youths took precautionary measures to contain the fire, mainly concentrated in Gundama, Marli, and Kuduru areas, approximately two kilometers from the Hermunde main road of Uyyalepaade. The forest department personnel are still working to control the fire. Some locals speculate that people fetching honey might have inadvertently started the fire to drive away bees, though the forest officer suggests it could be due to a lightning strike during recent rains.

In the third incident, a wildfire erupted when a tree branch brushed against an electricity line, causing a short circuit on Thursday afternoon. This occurred in an elevated area of Kudekallu on the Kudekallu-Kunchadka road, not far from Aletty main road. The fire spread over one acre of land, burning grass, plants, and trees. Panchayat members informed fire service personnel, and with the help of locals, the fire was extinguished by Sullia fire service personnel.