Mysuru, Feb. 9 -- Summer fire threat looms.

With winter ending and summer setting in, the scorching sun is expected to be harsher this year, increasing the risk of fire accidents across Mysuru.

Vulnerable areas include Chamundi Hill, social forest zones, dry grasslands, open spaces, junk yards, warehouses, factories and plastic waste dumps. Also under threat are the Bandipur and Nagarahole Tiger Reserves. Personnel from the Department of Fire and Emergency Services, equipped with advanced fire-fighting tools, are facing a severe shortage of fire engines. According to reports, Mysuru district has only one fire engine per station including Saraswathipuram, Bannimantap and Hebbal.

The situation has worsened as vehicles older than 15 years...