A fire that broke out on Tuesday in the Khanni beat reserved forest (11-N) of Nurpur division continued to wreak havoc for the second consecutive day on Wednesday, causing extensive damage to flora and fauna along with tree plantation undertaken two years ago. According to information, of 250 hectares of forestland, over 50 hectares have been affected by the devastating blaze. A major fire erupted near the Ratte-Ghar Mata Temple in Khanni gram panchayat in Nurpur and spread rapidly due to dry lantana growth and highly inflammable pine needles scattered on the forest floor. The field staff of the Forest Department rushed to the spot and made continuous efforts since Tuesday to contain the flames, which also posed a threat to the adjoining inhabited area of Gudli village. The fire also endangered the adjoining un-demarcated protected forest.
However, the Forest Department said that it was primarily a ground fire and fully grown or old trees were not there in the affected area. However, the blaze still caused extensive damage to large stretches of forestland and saplings planted by the Forest Department. Besides dry leaves and lantana weeds, the thick accumulation of dry pine needles significantly intensified the fire. Strong winds and highly inflammable pine needles hindered efforts to control rapidly spreading flames.
The Forest Department field staff used bushes and fire beaters to tackle the blaze in interior areas while firefighters focused on extinguishing flames near accessible roadside stretches. According to Divisional Forest Officer Sandeep Kohli, the department personnel created a nearly 750-metre fire line on Tuesday and another 500-metre fire line on Wednesday by clearing inflammable dry pine needles from the affected area. He added that the measure would help prevent the fire from spreading towards inhabited rural areas and the adjoining protected forest.
Kohli said teams were continuing efforts to contain flames and the fire was expected to be brought under control by late this evening.
