The vast swaths of rubber plantations spread across the eastern parts of the district are posing nightmares to not just the growers this summer.
According to officials of the Fire and Rescue Services, numerous fast-moving and low-intense fires have burned down several acres of land, including rubber plantations, over the last two weeks. The sharp rise in fire incidents has left the 250-plus fire personnel and the 16 fire tenders across the eight fire stations in Kottayam stretched to their limit.
As per estimates, the stations have reported an average of four calls each on a daily basis, mostly relating to fire in plantations. With a few more months left for the rainy season, officials now expect the number of distress calls to go up further in the coming days, more “Though there is no direct relation between the scorching sun and fire accidents, certainly the extreme heat coupled with low winds is conducive for spreading embers to more areas. The dry materials are easy to get ignited in the summer season and even an abandoned cigarette butt can cause a huge disaster,” said Shinoy, District Fire Officer, Kottayam.
Vulnerable grasslands
For instance, about one-and-a-half acres of a rubber plantations comprising three-year-old saplings was overrun by a fire reported near Areekkara the other day. Similar incidents are being reported from other parts of the districts, including the grasslands of the Vagamon hills.
“The incidents reported from the desolate grasslands on the hilltops are so tough to handle considering the difficulty in deploying men and machines at such locations,” the official added. Mr. Shinoy attributes the rising fire incidents at these locations to the camp fires organised for visitors. In view of the rising fire cases, the department will soon kick-start a public awareness programme, cautioning the public against throwing away burning cigarettes and against burning garbage.
Safety directives
“The plantations have been directed to clear dry shrubs and leaves, besides creating fire lines to manage the flames. For those located on the forest fringes, a direction will be issued to appoint watchers during the summer to monitor and report fire outbreaks in a timely manner,” said A.R. Arun Kumar, Divisional Fire Officer.