11 Forest Fires Reported This Year: Public Urged to Avoid Setting Fires

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Department of Forest Conservation has issued a warning to the public to avoid setting fires in protected areas and forests during the dry season.

Director General Nishantha Edirisinghe emphasized that such actions could severely impact the sensitive ecosystems of the central highlands.

So far this year, 11 incidents of forest fires have been reported in protected areas. 

The districts most frequently affected include Badulla, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Matale, Ratnapura, Monaragala, and Kegalle.

Edirisinghe stated that strict legal action will be taken against individuals responsible for setting these fires.

Meanwhile, a fire broke out yesterday in the Ravana Ella Reserve in Badulla.

E.M.L. Udaya Kumara, the Assistant Director of Disaster Management for Badulla District, reported that the fire started near the popular Ella Gap viewing area. Strong winds and dry conditions made it difficult to extinguish the blaze.

The District Disaster Management Unit suspects that the fire was deliberately set by an individual or group.