Summary:
"Huge tracts of forest area devasted in the fire," said a senior forest officer without going into more details. "Forest officers have, meanwhile, banned tribals from venturing into the forest area to collect wooden logs. DHARMAPURI: A fire that broke out in the Pennagaram forest division here in the early hours of Friday has put forest officers in a challenging position, with flames spreading fast due to heavy wind.According to the forest officers, the fire, which started at 'Koil Pallam' area, has spread to a distance of 5km. Subsequently, fire and rescue services personnel from Pennagaram and Dharmapuri fire stations were deployed to put out the flames. Talking to TOI, he said the fire was spreading fast due to heavy wind and they were finding it difficult to bring it under control.He said the fire was first noticed by local villagers, who alerted the forest personnel and the Pennagaram police..