As thick smoke enveloped parts of the Seshachalam forests due to a fire that broke out Tuesday, Forest Department and Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) officials Wednesday closed the pedestrian steps and walkway to the Tirupati temple at Alipiri as a precautionary measure. Governor E S L Narasimhan is also learnt to have sought the help of the Indian Air Force to douse the flames which are slowly spreading up the slope to the Lord Balaji temple, which is still several kilometres away. TTD officials shut down shops and business establishments along the 2500-step path as thick smoke was causing breathing difficulties and reduced visibility. This is the first time in the temple’s centuries-old history that the sacred steps have been shut. A wind energy plant on the Seven Hills leading to the temple has also been shut down as a precaution. Officials also herded to safety dozens of spotted deer, wild boar, Indian giant squirrels, and other animals from protected areas and controlled habitats as the fire spread. “The fire is raging several km away from the main temple at Tirumala. There is no threat to the temple and the road leading to the temple. As a precautionary measure some areas have been sealed. Forest fire and fire brigade officials hope to control the fire by Thursday morning,’’ Principal Chief Conservator of Forests B Somasekhara Reddy said. While officials prevented devotees from using walkways, vehicular traffic has not been affected. “There is no threat to pilgrims and the temple. We are more worried about the devastation to flora and fauna,’’ said CCF Tirumala-Tirupati Ravi Kumar. Officials said vegetation and stretches of slopes that had dried up resulted in the fire spreading so quickly. TTD JEO K S Raju said that they were coordinating with the Forest Department and Tirumala-Tirupati Fire Brigade officials to deploy IAF and Indian Navy choppers if the fire is not extinguished by Thursday morning.
