Mysuru: The dense forests of Bandipur and Nagarahole tiger reserves are home to the largest number of tigers in the country. The sprawling woods, straddling three districts of South Karnataka are spread across a vast area, and these forests are highly susceptible to forest fires , which is why the government has decided to utilise the expertise of the personnel of the Karnataka state fire and emergency services department have been on their toes for the past few weeks.Besides frequent mishaps that slowly chip away at the green cover, consuming small areas of the forest, a massive fire had, seven years ago, reduced a vast acreage – 2,000 acres to be precise – to ashes.Determined to prevent forest fires in the highly sensitive forest regions, the government has roped in the services of the fire department , which will supplement the resources of the forest department, which has been working indefatigably to avoid mishaps.Mysuru region chief fire officer Yunus Ali Kauser told TOI that the department personnel had identified 15 vulnerable locations, primarily in the two reserves, and steps had been taken to deal with emergencies at these spots. “We have stationed fire engines at all the 15 locations. Each fire engine is staffed adequately, and the personnel are fully equipped to douse any fire, and have been trained to work in the forests,” Kauser said.He added that they had managed to get four fire engines from Bengaluru, and one from Davanagere besides requisitioning engines in the five districts falling under the Mysuru division. “There is no threat of a forest fire in Mandya and Hassan districts. Our focus is mainly on preventing fires in Kodagu, Chamarajanagar and Mysuru districts,”said Kauser.On the efforts being made to prevent outbreak of fire in the forest areas, which could further deplete green cover in the state and eat away at habitat for wild animals, Kauser said that the staff had been put on high alert round the clock. “Also, we are drawing more workers from other stations across the state. Around 10 employees from fire stations in North Karnataka have reported to duty here. They will be deployed at these locations,” he added.Kauser said that they had received instructions from the head office to keep fire engines ready to be deployed at a moment’s notice in forest areas. “While the Mysuru division has provided 10 vehicles, we have managed to requisition more from other districts,” said Kauser, adding that they were also using smaller vehicles to monitor the situation inside the forest in a hassle-free manner.Safety measures at educational institutions surveyedAfter a fire broke out in a building that serves as a school in Bengaluru recently, fire and emergency personnel in the five districts under Mysuru division have surveyed all schools and educational institutions to see if all the necessary safety measures are in place.Kauser said that the schoolchildren in Bengaluru had had a narrow escape. “The furniture shop on the ground floor of the building caught fire. Fortunately, we do not have many such vulnerable structures, wherein schools are in proximity to commercial establishments in Mysuru division,” said Kauser, who pointed to the constant efforts made by the department to raise awareness among children about fire safety measures.

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