Uttarakhand to Tamil Nadu: Parts of India in grip of forest fires

13-May-2026

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From February to April, intense forest fires ravaged Uttarakhand, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Odisha due to rising temperatures and dry conditions worsened by climate change. Uttarakhand's dense chir pine forests, with resin-rich dry needles, are especially fire-prone, leading to over 150 incidents affecting 171 hectares. 

Fires also engulfed ecologically important areas like the Nilgiris and Seshachalam forests, threatening wildlife and destroying vast forest cover. Satellite data reveals a sharp increase in fire points across India, highlighting severe environmental and ecological impacts.