Forest fires raging around Shimla

Shimla, Jun 10 (UNI) With the temperatures rising in the entire state, raging forest fires in and around Shimla town of Himachal Pradesh have caused an estimated loss of Rs five lakh to forest wealth, fire sources today said.

Local people and fire personnel were trying to put off fierce fires in forests of Taradevi, Tutikandi, Summerhill, Chaura Maidan and Panthaghati area of the town.

The sources said the efforts were on to douse the fire in the forests of Taradevi, which were on fire for the last few days.

Majority of these fires were due to carelessness of people who throw lighted cigarette butts and rolled beedis near the forest areas and by farmers who set their grasslands afire in hope of better pastures in future, they said.

The raging forest fire in and around Shimla has caused an estimated loss of Rs five lakh to the forest wealth, the sources added.

UNI