A forest fire that broke out in the Ella Rock area on February 13 rapidly spread across 20 acres, prompting an extensive containment effort by authorities.
The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said that around 10 acres of the Ravana Ella forest reserve were destroyed before the fire was brought under control. The blaze, which ignited around 4.00 p.m. on Thursday quickly spread due to dry conditions, winds, and the mountainous terrain.
The risk of further spread raised serious concerns, as the flames moved towards the Ravana Ella waterfall and threatened to encroach upon the surrounding mountain range.
Fire suppression efforts were led by Bandarawela Forest Conservation Officers, the Ella Divisional Secretariat, and personnel from the Army and Air Force in Diyatalawa. Firebreaks were created to prevent the blaze from reaching protected conservation areas, while Municipal fire trucks were deployed to safeguard the Ella-Wellawaya main road.
The fire also caused the rocks in the Ella Rock mountain range to heat up, posing a risk of explosions and landslides. Motorists travelling along the Ella-Wellawaya road were called upon to exercise caution due to the unstable conditions.
Officials said that the fire has now been contained. However, investigations are going on to determine the cause of the blaze and whether it was the result of arson.
DMC’s Director General, Major General (Retd) Udaya Herath said that forest fires are frequent after the end of the monsoon due to dry conditions and that most of them are a result of human activity.
These fires are set by hunters to drive game while others do to encroach on land; he said, adding that forest fires have been reported in Kalutara, Galle and Moneragala recently.
“We can mitigate forest fires with the help of vigilant committees and by enforcing the law against arsonists; this can be done by Local Governments and District authorities. They can form Standard Operating Procedures in accordance to their jurisdiction,” he said.
One of the main ways of stopping forest fires, according to Herath, is mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction – proactive measures taken to minimise damage and loss of life caused by natural disasters by identifying risks, reducing vulnerabilities, and improving preparedness through strategies such as land use planning, early warning systems, community awareness, and infrastructure improvements, to build resilience within communities and societies facing potential hazards.
Meanwhile, the Department of Forest Conservation has warned the public to avoid setting fires in protected areas and forests during the dry season.
Eleven incidents of forest fires have been reported in protected areas this year.
Areas in the Central, Uva, Western and Southern Provinces have been frequently affected.
