COIMBATORE: Despite relentless efforts, forest fire continued for the fifth consecutive day on Saturday at Nadhegoundenpudur village near Alandurai. According to sources, as many as over 150 forest department staff from five forest divisions along with the 75 local tribal people have been jointly involved in dousing off the fire at the rocky hill in Nadhegoundenpudur village.
"While one group of people have been engaged in beating the fire and other groups of people have been clearing vegetation to prevent its spread. We would be able to control the fire on Sunday if it stops spreading. The fire-ravaged older portion was completely doused off and we are experiencing a fire at the new rocky terrain which is very steep and difficult to access," said a forest department official.
Meanwhile, based on the requests from the District administration staff from Sulur Airbase visited the fire-ravaged area. The authorities have requested to engage a chopper to water the area, as such a method will pay results at the earliest.
N Jayaraj District Forest Officer of Coimbatore said that if the fire is not controlled by Subday, Sulur Airbase help will be sought. He said that they have used a sprinkler and blower that were recently procured to douse off the fires on Saturday.