Setting forest reserve on fire was an act of terrorism, which had to be dealt with just like the Northern terrorism, Minister of Environment and Natural Resources Patali Champika Ranawaka said in Kandy yesterday. He said so answering a question raised by journalists at a press conference on the forest fire which cut a swathe through the Knuckles forest reserve last week. The Ministry said about 70-80 acres of virgin forest had been reduced to rubble and disaster would have been greater, if not for the timely action by state officials and the public to help douse the flames. He said the Sri Lanka Air Force had played a pivotal role in preventing the fire from spreading. Stern action would be taken against those indulging in such acts of arson at the expense of forests or any other public property. He said someone using the footpath running through the forest reserve may have set the match to a wayside bush triggering the disaster. Chief Minister Sarath Ekanayake and Deputy Chairman of the Central Provincial Council S.B. Ratnayake were present at the press conference.