A major fire broke out in several areas in Batote forest division in Jammu and Kashmir, forest officials said.
Fire broke out in several areas in Marmat-Batote forest division since yesterday, they said.
The blaze has spread to six areas in Marmat forest belt, they said, adding, operation to extinguish the fire is yet to be started.
Locals in Marmat said that it has endangered their lives and scores of birds, animals have died due to thick smoke triggered by fire in the vast forest belts.
They have asked the administration to soon start the operation of extinguishing the fire.
