A forest in Panagala, Ettampitiya is being doused by 20 airmen of Sri Lanka Air force Combat Training School in Diyatalawa and the Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) comprising an officer, with the assistance of the residents in the area.
Meanwhile, Ada Derana reporter said the fire at Mathetiila, Galwadutenna forest reserve, which erupted this morning (05), is spreading at a rapid pace to the other side of the thicket.
Approximately 50 acres of the forest reserve were destroyed in the fire, according to reports.
The police suspect that a group of persons or an individual had intentionally set the forest on fire.
The Ceylon Electricity Board has disconnected the electricity supply to the area due to the presence of power cables at the houses in the proximity of the forest reserve.
Bandarawela Police is conducting further investigations into the incident.
