Bovikanam: With the mercury soaring, the Kerala Fire and Rescue Services is on the tenterhooks with the threat of wildfires looming large in the Kasaragod district. Vegetation has dried up in the searing heat and this can set off wildfires in different parts of the district, which saw as many as 500 instances of wildfire causing a loss worth lakhs of rupees in the last summer.
The fire brigade is helpless when fire breaks out in the interiors with no motorable roads. The infernos can be prevented with some concerted effort of all.
Don’t incinerate waste during daytime
Last time, most of the fires broke out as a fallout of the practice of setting on fire unwanted vegetation and weeds that were cleared for farming or sports activities. Avoid burning waste, especially at noon, during daytime as fierce winds can fan the blaze. It is advisable to incinerate stubble and dried vegetation in the morning or after 5 in the evening.
Clear plants around power lines
As a short circuit can trigger a blaze, weeds and other plants under overhead power lines should be periodically cleared. People should take the initiative to do that as, usually, the KSEB authorities are only particular of removing vegetation around power distribution transformers situated at various places.
Don’t throw cigarette and beedi butts
Desist from throwing cigarette and beedi butts near to protected forest areas as they can start an inferno.
Beware of pyromaniacs
People suffering from pyromania should be rounded up and given appropriate punishment. Large tracts of forest land were gutted by fires started by people with psychiatric disorders. Many infernos are a result of vengeance too.