Summary:
Fire rages in ATR: Forest department personnel and fire watchers are battling forest fires that are raging in the Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR). “We have deployed more than 70 people, including forest personnel and fire watchers. Though the personnel of the department managed to extinguish the fires in most places, they are yet to check its spread in a few places in Thirumurthy hills. Residents in the forest settlements had alerted the department after noticing fire at Eesalthattu, Kottamalai and Thirumurthy hills in ATR.Eight hectares of forest land in Udumalpet taluk have been affected by the fires, department officials said. They are actively working to put out the fires in various locations by creating fire lines..