Karnataka: Chamarajanagar reported 58 fire incidents this year

MYSURU: The lush border district of Chamarajanagar has reported 58 fire incidents from January to March 2022.
In 2021, the district that has 51 % green cover, reported 103 fire incidents.
Many of the blazes were incidents of haystacks, sugarcane fields and coconut plantations catching fire. Wildfires in small forests and wastelands were also reported from across the district in the summer of 2021.
In some instances, sugar cane fields, coconut and other plantations caught fire when electric lines or power transformers sparked off blazes in Bannitalapura, Kattepura, Yanagahalli and Shankanapura villages in the district.
Incidents of fire were also reported in pockets of the BR Tiger reserve, MM Hills and the Cauvery wildlife division. However, quick deployment of fire extinguishing vehicles controlled the damage.
Of the 58 cases reported in the district till March this year, 19 were reported in Chamarajanagar taluk, 14 in Gundlupet, 15 in Kollegal and 10 in Hanur.
Sources told TOI that carelessly discarded cigarettes and bidi butts by smokers near haystacks are among the causes of fire tragedies.
Officials said that shaky electrical connections, faulty wiring and overloading caused electrical fires in homes, offices and commercial establishments.
The government should sensitise people on preventing smoking in forested areas and other fire safety measures, said Punajanur Doreswamy, the Chamarajanagar taluk wildlife activist.
District fire officer Naveenkumar said the department has made all efforts to avert fire tragedies by sensitising people by holding fire safety demonstrations in public places.
“People should call the helpline number 101 or the nearest taluk fire station if a fire mishap occurs in their vicinity. The department is working together with the forest department to prevent fire tragedies in forested areas,” he said.