Sambalpur: The regional conservator of forests (Sambalpur) has reported 314 forest fires this year till Saturday, with Sambalpur district recording 202. Regional chief conservator of forests (Sambalpur), T Ashok Kumar, told TOI, “Two-three large fires in Bamra, seven in Rairakhol and three have been reported in Sambalpur.”
He added, “We have prepared a district-level fire action plan which has been approved by the collector. Local people are engaged in dousing fires. Permanent staff have been registered on the Forest Survey of India website. They will provide real-time location of forest fires.”
Similar fires have been reported in Deogarh having five forest ranges. Magar Dhanaji Raoso, divisional forest officer (Deogarh), said, “There were many fire points including large fires across the five ranges on March 7, 8 and 9. Now they are under control. Every day fire points are being doused. Fire protection squads have been deployed at every section.”