Fresh fires in BRT Tiger Reserve

A team of Forest Department personnel and public are struggling to control a wildfire that has erupted at Biligiri Ranganathaswamy Temple (BRT) Tiger Reserve in Punajanur forest range of the district on Saturday.

The fire, that was spotted at Kurimande and Bedaguli in the region, is spreading towards Ragikallumadavu. Winds are hampering efforts to control the fire.

More than 200 forest personnel from K Gudi and Byloor have been pressed into service to douse the fire. Three days ago, a wildfire broke out at Chikkayanagiri in the Punajanur forest range.

BRT Tiger Reserve director T Heeralal told DH that all measures have been taken to control the fire and the blaze at Himavad Gopalaswamy Hill, Maddur and N Begur forest ranges are under control.