Baripada, April 25: Forest fires continue to rage in Similipal National Park (STR) in Odisha posing threat to wildlifes despite all efforts of forest officials to douse the flames.
The forest department doused 28 forest fire points during 24 hours on Wednesday in the STR. Widespread fire fuelled by the relentless heat wave has gripped the region.
The forest personnel are containing the situation effectively by immediate action on receiving satellite alerts of the extensive fire outbreak.
Satellite surveys identified fire points in 28 locations within the park yesterday. Forest personnel, including fire squads, foresters, and protection assistants, along with teams from the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force, were deployed to combat the blazes, said Regional chief conservator of forests (RCCF) and field director of the STR, Prakash Chand Gogineni.
The Odisha government has deployed seven teams of Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) in Baliguda, Phulbani, Rayagada, Bonai, Kalahandi South, Similipal South, Paralakhemundi forest divisions to douse forest fire.
