Karkala: A major forest fire was reported on Saturday evening (May 2) in the Kundremukh National Park wildlife division, near the foothills of the Aladangadi range. Officials said there is concern that the fire may spread across several hundred acres of forest land.

The fire was first noticed in the hillside area and its intensity was visible even from Aladangadi town. This caused fear among local residents and travellers passing through the region.

Forest department officials and staff rushed to the spot immediately after receiving information. A large-scale firefighting operation has been launched to control and extinguish the blaze.

“We are working to bring the situation under control,” Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) Shivaram Babu said.

Efforts are continuing to prevent the fire from spreading further into the forest area, officials added.