Knuckles fire destroys forest land

Disna Mudalige

A sudden fire that erupted in the Knuckles Range had destroyed about 30 to 40 acres of the forest land.

Matale Disaster Management Centre spokesman Indika Ranaweera told the Daily News yesterday. He said that the fire was doused with the support of the Forest Conversation Department officers, police and villagers by yesterday evening. The fire broke out in a pinus forest land on Saturday night.

Meanwhile, Matale SSP Tilak Abeysiriwardena said that the fire was difficult to douse since it had spread fast helped by dry weather in the region. He said that investigations are on to find out the cause of the fire.