Coonoor: Forest fire, a phenomenon in the hills in this part of the year in the fading stages of winter, has begun to make its appearance near Coonoor as on Monday night, as flames charred nearly four acres of a private estate adjoining the jungles.
As the frost in winter dries up the sap of the plants and there is dry weather, plants become prone to forest fires. This year, wildfire made its appearance in Coonoor limits, much to the surprise of the Greens, as they generally break out on the Kallhatti, Mudumalai and Ooty slopes in late January.
The wildfire that broke out on the Hulikal slopes near Coonoor on Monday night at 8 pm spread quickly along the slopes. It continued for a few hours at night and charred the trees and tea bushes on around 4 acres. Forest sources said that the wild fire damaged a private property, whereas the reserve forest along the Hulikal slopes was unaffected by it.
