PANAJI
With all probability that the outbreak of wildfires is Goa’s first experience, the coastal State did report several “wildland fires” in the past but not at such magnitude.
In the last calendar year, a total of 151 wildland fires were reported of which around 10 were major, albeit under control. Similarly, 1,032 dry grass and field fires and 182 garbage and scrap fires were reported during the same period.
“The forest areas reported fire incidents in the past although these were sporadic and under control,” a senior forest officer engaged in the firefighting operation told The Goan.
The Fire Services too confirmed that the present widespread fires in many forested areas are the first of a kind in Goa. The firemen have been on their toes even as the Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force are carrying out aerial firefighting operations.
“There were incidents of short circuit and spark from the running trains, causing fires but not on a large scale as the present ones,” Fire Director Nitin Raikar said.
Out of the total cases last year, the highest 63 ‘wildland and dry grass’ fires were reported in Bicholim followed by Verna and Vasco. Goa has been reporting not less than 50 daily cases of fire on average since the last couple of days.
