Wildfire breaks out at Kappatagudda after a brief lull

After a brief lull, fire broke out at Kappatagudda forest on late Friday night destroying vegetation, mainly shrubs and dry grass, on more than 150 hectares.

The fire was spotted at the forest patches at Hirevaddatti and Chikkavaddatti in Dambal hobli of Gadag district on late Friday night. The Forest department personnel managed to douse the flames after a day-long operation.

Range Forest Officer Pradeep Pawar told DH, "It's a man-made fire. Unidentified persons are repeatedly setting fire to the dry grass at Kappatagudda range. Dry grass on over 150 hectares has been gutted in the fire. Strong winds made the matters worse. More than 40 forest personnel fought hard to put off the wildfire.

A forest staffer, on the condition of anonymity, told DH, "We do not have proper equipment to fight the fire. We have to make do with wet plants to douse the fire.

Kappatagudda hill, home to rare medicinal plants, is considered a treasure trove of unique flora and fauna. The forest declared a conservation reserve five years back is facing a serious threat from man-made fires. In the last two months, vast tract of vegetation has perished in four major fires.