MYSURU: The fire at the Bandipur forest continued to rage for the third day on Monday, further reducing swathes of wooded area into ashes. The forest department had managed to control the fire that broke out in Kalkere range by Sunday, when the flames started engulfing neighbouring ranges of Gundre and Begur on Sunday evening.
Around 400 forest staff and tribals have been working continuously to douse the fire using plants. Water has been ferried to the spot in tankers. Forest staff from Nagarahole and other forests too have been roped in for the efforts.
Sources in the forest department said that despite all efforts they could do very little to contain the fire due to strong winds and the dry conditions. The operations have also been hampered by difficulty in taking water tankers to the affected areas.
Water from Kabini river is being ferried in tractors to douse the fire.
Officials are worried that the flames will reach tree tops as this will cause the fire to spread faster.