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. They have evacuated the villagers nearby to a safer area."Huge tracts of forest area devasted in the fire," said a senior forest officer without going into more details. 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. Subsequently, fire and rescue services personnel from Pennagaram and Dharmapuri fire stations were deployed to put out the flames."The hill area is shrouded by thick smock. Dried trees and dry leaves are igniting the fire," the officer said.Pointing out that they were busy removing dry leaves near roads as a preventive measure, a forester said, "Due to manpower shortage, controlling forest fire is not an easy task. We will bring the situation under control at the earliest."Forest officers have, meanwhile, banned tribals from venturing into the forest area to collect wooden logs.

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