Nilgiris wildfire scorches 5,000 acres as crews battle blaze on foot amid high winds

A massive wildfire in Tamil Nadu’s Nilgiris district has raged for over 10 days, scorching nearly 5,000 acres across the Parsons Valley and Pykara forest ranges, as more than 500 personnel struggle to contain the flames in difficult terrain, Times of India reported.

An Indian Air Force helicopter conducted several sorties on Friday, using a Bambi bucket to drop thousands of litres of water on the blaze. However, strong winds have since grounded aerial operations, forcing firefighters and forest staff to rely on manual methods.

With fire engines unable to access the steep, hilly terrain, teams are trekking long distances and battling flames using basic tools, including beating out fires with tree branches. The physically demanding conditions have left many exhausted and dehydrated.


Even as authorities worked to contain the main blaze, a fresh fire broke out on Monday near Maravakandy Dam, close to Moyar, raising concerns about the spread.

The affected Parsons Valley and Pykara ranges are ecologically sensitive zones, home to wildlife such as tigers, elephants and several endemic plant species. Forest officials said larger animals are likely to have moved to safer areas and may return once conditions stabilise, but smaller animals and reptiles are expected to have suffered significant losses.

Conservationists have raised alarm over damage to fragile shola grasslands and ancient elephant corridors, warning of long-term ecological consequences.

More than 100 local volunteers have joined the firefighting effort, assisting frontline teams. Authorities have stationed fire response vehicles at strategic locations, while crews are digging fire lines and deploying specialised vehicles equipped with water hoses to contain the spread.

Environment secretary Supriya Sahu said the fire is now largely under control, though operations remain ongoing. She added that teams from Salem, Trichy, Coimbatore, Sathyamangalam and the Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve have been mobilised to strengthen the response.