Bengaluru: A wildfire broke out in Turahalli Reserve Forest in south Bengaluru Wednesday evening, marking the season’s first such incident even as thundershowers were forecast in the city. Thick smoke rising from the forest was first noticed by residents along the 80-feet road around 6pm, with flames rapidly spreading across the stretch behind Karishma Hills, off Kanakapura Road.Alerted by residents, officials from Bengaluru Urban forest division rushed teams of watchers and guards to the spot. A senior forest official from the Kaggalipura Range said field staff were mobilised with firefighting equipment and blowers by 6.45pm. “They are still working at the site, controlling the further spread of the wildfire. In a few hours, we will be able to contain the fire completely,” the officer said.Preliminary assessment suggests possible human involvement. The official indicated miscreants may have trespassed into the forest and ignited the fire. “There are leopards, deer and other wildlife inside Turahalli. A few miscreants may have set fire to scare these animals. We spotted the fire very early with the help of local residents, and it will be contained without much damage to the flora and fauna. Also, due to the last week’s rains, most of the forest retained much of the moisture and will not fuel the further spread of the fire,” an official said.Residents’ welfare association (RWA) members from nearby areas reported the flames were visible across a stretch of nearly 1,000 metres and appeared to be advancing towards the Turahalli Tree Park near Bayyanapalya before containment efforts intensified.
