Massive forest fire in Sultan Bathery; efforts in progress to contain fire, pigs suffer burns

WAYANAD: A massive forest fire has broken out in Sultan Bathery. The forest fire broke out in the Karassery forest in Moolankavu along the National Highway. The incident happened around eleven o'clock in the morning.

Sources say that after a group of bamboo trees caught fire, the fire spread to the neighbouring rubber plantation and other areas. The bamboo trees got burnt down en masse. The fire force, forest department and locals are continuing their efforts to put out the fire.

The Odappallam region where the fire broke out is on the way from Sultan Bathery to the Muthanga region. It is a relief that the fire did not spread to the populated area. Officials said that they have taken necessary precautions to prevent the fire from spreading to populated areas. Although the fire spread to the nearby rubber plantation, it was soon contained. Officials said that the fire would be soon brought under control.

According to the authorities, about one hundred acres of forest area have been affected by the fire. It is said that several pigs have suffered burns after the fire spread to a nearby pig farm.