Team Herald
SANGUEM: The fire at Gaya Dongor in Sanguem’s Cotarli village was brought under control late Wednesday evening after strenuous efforts from Forest and Fire department personnel, who had to tackle the forested mountain on foot to access the fire. While no damage was reported to life or property, the fire destroyed numerous fully-grown forest trees.
The fire was located deep inside the forest, around three kilometres from road access, and personnel had to cover the distance carrying their firefighting equipment to douse the blaze, and in some places, had to even crawl through the undergrowth on all fours.
Assistant Conservator of Forests Minguel Fernandes along with the Deputy Collector, Mamlatdar and other government officials from Sanguem were present at the site till late Tuesday night.
Speaking to OHeraldo, Fernandes said that the fire has been almost brought under control, after five to six hours of continuous efforts. He lamented that there was no help forthcoming from the locals, who have paddy fields and other agricultural plantations in the vicinity.
“At first, the fire brigade personnel drew a line all along the affected area to prevent the fire from spreading further,” said Fernandes.
While the cause of fire is not ascertained, Fernandes said that it began in a clump of dried bamboo atop the mountain and then spread to the nearby areas.
Wildfires were also reported in private and partly Forest
Department-owned properties at Kurpem and Sulcorna on Wednesday morning, and
were swiftly doused, added Fernandes.
