Wildfires sweep across Odisha forests, 747 regions burning today

Odisha is grappling with intense forest fires that have been spreading across numerous regions, which have affected nearly half of the state’s forested regions. The fires are spreading at an alarming rate and forest department workers are battling round the clock to control the blazes.

Firefighting Continues:

As of 12th March, multiple forested areas have been ravaged by the flames. The forest department indicated that fires erupted in 1,426 locations on March 12 alone. As of today, fires have been detected in 747 sites across the state. From the start of this year up until 11th March, there were 10,455 reported incidents of forest fires.

Also Read: Surge in wildfire incidents across Odisha; 2,586 fire points detected in 7 days

Combining yesterday's and today's additions, the total number of fire-affected spots has reached to over 12,000.

National and State Context:

According to the Forest Survey of India, in the past one week, Odisha has identified forest fires in 4,503 locations. This puts Odisha as the second most afflicted state by forest fires in the country, trailing only Telangana.

The forest department continues to work tirelessly to control the fires and mitigate their impact on both the ecology and local communities. Officials are appealing to residents to report any suspicious activities or ignitions to help prevent further outbreaks.

Government Response: 

Efforts to combat the fires are underway, with authorities mobilising resources to manage and contain the spread. Forest department workers are struggling to contain the fires across the affected regions, making it a challenging task due to the scale and intensity of the fires. 

Call for action:

Authorities are urging locals and forest visitors to remain vigilant and report any new fire outbreaks promptly. The collaboration between governmental agencies and local communities is deemed crucial in managing this crisis effectively.