Second forest fire breaks out in India's southwest state

MUMBAI, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- Another forest fire broke out in Karadimatti and Kucchalu Reserve Forest of Thirthahalli sub-district in India's southwestern Karnataka late Monday.

Spread over 20 hectares, the fire was doused by forest officials with the help of local villagers, media reports said.

The area falls in the eco-sensitive Western Ghats region and the forest is vulnerable during summer.

The blaze followed a major fire in the Bandipur Tiger Reserve on Saturday that has destroyed acres of forest, causing huge damage and loss to wild life.

The state government has sought assistance from the Indian Air Force to contain the fire, which has burnt an estimated 3,000 hectares of land since Saturday.