Fire mishaps are becoming a question to the Fire brigade

Belman: The intense heat of the summer has led to hills catching fire in rural Karkala, destroying many plants and trees in its wake and the people are finding it a real challenge to protect themselves along with their goods. Accidental fires throughout the taluk have destroyed hundreds of acres of cultivation land and hilly areas which are privately owned or belong to the government.

More accidents in comparison to last year

Similar to last year, fire mishaps occurred at Belman, Mala, Nitte, Santur, Inna, Nandalike, Bola, Mundkur and several other places in the taluk this year too. In March 2018, Karkala fire station received 52 calls. This time, by the month of May, the number of calls has crossed 100. The daily heat has led to continuous fire mishaps at various locations in the taluk.

Humans responsible!

Humans are the main reason behind most of the fire mishaps that have occurred here. Disposing of lit cigarette butts from passing vehicle into roadside forest land made up of dry grass which catches fire because of the regular breeze. Recently, heavy losses were incurred after more than 2 acres of rubber cultivation went up in flames due to the disposal of a lit cigarette butt at Perelpade in Belman area.

Bola Padavu hill was completely destroyed after it accidentally caught fire. At some places, even if the fire personnel reach near to the location, they it becomes a real challenge of them to reach the actual incident spot due to lack of approach road. At some places, fire mishap occurs because of the branches of trees coming in contact with high-tension electricity wires.

Karkala is very far

No matter in which location of the taluk there is fire mishap, the fire personnel have to rush from Karkala itself. There are a few instances wherein the fire has been doused or brought into control by the locals itself long before the fire personnel reached the spot.

Should be aware

“To prevent accidental fire mishaps, the people themselves should become aware. It will be good if the owners remove weed from their own lands,” said Deepak Kamath, Social worker

Immediate response

“This time, there have been several fire mishap related calls in Karkala taluk. We have responded to them immediately,” informs Vasant, DFO, Udupi