A fire broke out on Wednesday evening in woodland near the Glenalpine estate at Hali-Ela in the Badulla district, Hiru News reported.
The broadcaster’s correspondent said the fire was still spreading at the time of reporting. Residents in the area told Hiru News they suspect it may have been started deliberately by a person or group.
No cause has been confirmed by any authority, and no information has been released on injuries, damage to property or the extent of the area burnt. Details of the response by fire services, the Forest Department or estate management were not available.
Context
Hali-Ela lies in the Uva province hill country, an area of tea estates and patchy woodland where fires can move quickly through dry undergrowth on steep slopes.
The report comes during a stretch of hot, dry conditions across much of the island. The Health Ministry warned on Wednesday of heat-related health risks amid extreme temperatures, and dry weather has already prompted compensation measures for farmers whose crops have failed.
This is a developing report based on a single source. LankaNewz found no corroborating account from other newsrooms at the time of writing, and will update the story as official details on the cause, containment and any damage become available.
