Fri Feb 21 12:16:28 UTC 2025: ## Major Fire Sweeps Through Mysuru’s Chamundi Hills
**Mysuru, Karnataka, February 21, 2025** – A large fire ravaged vast tracts of dry forest on Chamundi Hills in Mysuru on Friday, February 21st. Suspected arson, fanned by strong winds, quickly spread through the scrub jungle, prompting a significant response from fire and emergency services.
Four fire tenders were deployed to tackle the blaze, with two more en route. However, the steep and rugged terrain hampered efforts to fully contain the fire, limiting firefighters’ reach to approximately 40 feet on either side of accessible roads. Authorities are currently prioritizing extinguishing the flames before assessing the full extent of the damage.
Chamundi Hills, a reserve forest and important watershed for Mysuru, is home to a rich biodiversity including over 140 butterfly species, 193 bird species, and various mammals such as leopards and bonnet macaques. The fire poses a significant threat to this ecosystem and the region’s microclimate. While previous attempts to increase greenery on the hills have been unsuccessful due to the challenging terrain, the incident highlights the ongoing vulnerability of the area to wildfires. The investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing.
First Piper 