Jaipur: Massive fire broke out in Rajasthan's Sariska Tiger Reserve yesterday, two choppers of IAF rushed to the spot to douse the fire. The Sariska tiger reserve spread across 10 square kilometre 

The fire broke out yesterday, two IAF flights deputed to douse the fire, the Sariska tiger reserve spread across 10square kilometers.

The fire threatens the territory of a tigress, codenamed ST-17 for tracking by scientists, which is at the area with her two cubs, officials have said. The big cats may suffocate, experts have said. There are 20 tigers in the Sariska tiger reserve.

Firefighters are struggling to douse the fire, The two IAF helicopters have been scooping up water from Rajasthan's Siliserh Lake and dropping over the forest fire in Sariska, 43 km from the lake.

Three villages near the tiger reserve have been put on alert as the fire didn't die down for over 24 hours due to windy conditions.

The IAF in a statement said they sent two Mi-17 V5 helicopters after the Alwar district administration sent an SOS to help control the fire "which had spread over large areas in Sariska."

"The IAF has deployed two Mi-17 V5 helicopters for Bambi bucket ops. The operations are ongoing," IAF said.

The hills and narrow valleys of the Aravalli range dominate the landscape of Sariska, whose forests are dry and deciduous. It is also home to numerous carnivores including leopards, wild dogs, jungle cats, hyenas and jackals, NDTV reports.