Giving real-time information on the outbreak of forest fire across the globe, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) of the United States had also alerted about the raging fire hot spots across Bandipur. The agency provides real-time active data within three hours of satellite passing over the area and identified fire hotspots across Bandipur.
As per the data provided by NASA’s fire information for resource management system (FIRMS), a copy of which is with DH, the agency identified over 80 fire hotspots in the region besides finding possible fire hotspots in Nagarahole and adjoining forest areas.
The cartographic details based on NASA observation revealed that fire spots were close to each other, spread across a vast tract of forest area.
Further, the data pointed towards the high incidence of fire in Gopalaswamy Betta area which has suffered huge damage. Of the 80 plus fire spots, a majority were seen in the Gopalaswamy Betta range, explaining the intensity of the raging fire.
Even though the fire had burnt forest spread across four hillocks in three ranges, the worst affected was GS Betta region and showed signs of spreading further.
With the fire reducing thick forest into ashes from Kundakere range towards GS Betta range, several mammals were displaced from their habitats. Herds of elephants and spotted deers, scared of the fire and smoke, ran towards the roads or into the neighbourhood farms. Several reptiles and birds were burnt completely in the fire.