Mon Feb 03 16:05:30 UTC 2025: ## Coimbatore Forest Department Prepares for Summer Fire Season
**COIMBATORE, February 3, 2025** – With summer approaching, the Coimbatore Forest Department is proactively creating fire lines across its seven forest ranges to prevent wildfires. The initiative focuses on areas with a high risk of fire, primarily Madukkarai, Boluvampatti, Coimbatore, Periyanaickenpalayam, and Karamadai ranges. Mettupalayam and Sirumugai ranges, considered less prone to fires, are also included in the preventative measures.
Fire lines, narrow strips of cleared land, act as barriers to contain the spread of wildfires. The creation of these lines involves the manual removal of vegetation, dry leaves, and grasses, along with controlled burning of dry materials. Members of tribal communities are employed in this crucial work.
This heightened focus on fire prevention follows a significant incident in April 2023, where a wildfire in Madukkarai range burned for over a week, impacting approximately 200 hectares. In response, the District Forest Fire Control Centre was established, equipped with specialized firefighting equipment and a trained elite force. The department’s Rapid Response Team and frontline staff are also prepared for immediate wildfire response.
In addition to fire line creation, the Forest Department plans to raise awareness among villagers bordering forest areas, urging them to avoid burning waste near forest boundaries to further minimize the risk of wildfires.
First Piper 