The Sri Lanka Air Force mobilized personnel and a Bell 412 helicopter to assist in controlling a fire that broke out in the Maiyawa Wewa reserve area within Anawilundawa on August 21.
A fire that erupted in the Maiyawa Wewa reserve area of Anawilundawa, located in Madurankuliya, prompted a coordinated emergency response involving multiple government agencies and the military. The Sri Lanka Air Force deployed firefighting teams and emergency response personnel from SLAF Base Palavi to the affected zone to contain the blaze.
The Air Force employed a Bell 412 helicopter equipped with Bambi Bucket technology to conduct aerial firefighting operations. The helicopter collected water from the nearby Sengal Oya and released it over the burning area from above, serving as a critical measure to prevent the fire from expanding into adjacent sections of the reserve.
The special operation was conducted on August 21 and involved collaborative efforts between multiple stakeholders. The Department of Wildlife Conservation, the Disaster Management Centre, the local Divisional Secretariat, and community members worked alongside Air Force personnel to bring the situation under control. The reserve's ecological significance made the swift response particularly important for protecting the wildlife habitat and surrounding areas.
