Taleigao dry grass fire sparks concern

Panaji: A fire in a dry grass field in Taleigao, suspected to have been lit on purpose, was extinguished by the directorate of fire and emergency services.

The fire sent smoke into nearby homes, exacerbating the afternoon heat for residents. “We got a call around 11.45am informing us that near Copper Leaf, a fire started in the fields. Someone must have thrown a cigarette or purposely lit a fire to the dry grass,” said a fire department official.

The fire department has been busy for the last three months due to dry grass fires. Officials said that while some fires are caused by heat and friction, others are a result of careless acts that could be prevented. “People throw cigarettes or just light dry grass on fire. We get many calls, and it is a waste of our time,” said an official.

Dry grass fires in Taleigao fields occur annually, said officials.