Seven teams deployed to put out forest fire in Erode’s Kadambur Hills

Forest fire that broke out at the top of Kambathrayan Hill in the Kadambur Hills in Erode district | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement Seven teams comprising 80 Forest Department personnel have been deployed to put out a forest fire that broke out at the top of Kambathrayan Hill in the Kadambur Hills of the Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve (STR) on Tuesday (September 1, 2026) night.S. Gowtham, Deputy Director, STR and District Forest Officer, Sathyamangalam Division, told The Hindu that the teams were on the field and taking efforts to bring the fire under control. The extent of the damage could be assessed only after the fire was put out, he said.Dry conditionsThe forest areas in the STR have been experiencing severe dry conditions owing to the lack of rainfall over the past few months. The prolonged dry spell has resulted in the drying up of grass, shrubs, climbers, and other vegetation in several parts of the reserve, increasing the risk of forest fires.The fire, which broke out amid the dry vegetation on the hilltop, spread rapidly. The steep terrain and the location of the fire made it difficult for the personnel to reach the affected area. The blaze reportedly destroyed trees, shrubs, and climbers, including rare vegetation.Forest officials said large patches of dry grass and other vegetation on the forest floor had contributed to the rapid spread of the fire. The dry conditions and lack of moisture in the vegetation were making firefighting efforts challenging, they said.The STR, located at the confluence of the Western and Eastern Ghats, is spread across 1,408.40 sq. km, comprising a 793.49-sq.-km core zone and a 614.91-sq.-km buffer zone in Sathyamangalam and Thalavadi taluks. It has two divisions — Sathyamangalam and Hasanur Forest Divisions — with 10 forest ranges.With the monsoon yet to bring sufficient rainfall to several parts of the reserve, Forest Department personnel are keeping a close watch on dry and vulnerable patches and taking preventive measures to check the spread of fire, officials said. Published - September 02, 2026 12:56 pm IST