Sri Lanka, July 3 -- A fire that broke out in the Turpentine Forest Reserve near the Haputale Y-junction has spread rapidly, destroying around 10 acres of land, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said.

They said the fire has intensified due to the prevailing dry weather conditions in the area. Efforts to bring the blaze under control are currently underway, with personnel from the Haputale Pradeshiya Sabha, the Haputale Police Special Task Force, the Bandarawela Municipal Council Fire Department, and disaster management officers deployed to the site using water bowser fire engines.

Meanwhile, Army and Air Force personnel stationed at the Diyatalawa Army Camp have been placed on standby to assist in emergency response operations if re...