The Odisha government has deployed disaster rapid action force personnel to extinguish the ongoing forest fires inside the Simlipal Tiger Reserve (STR) in Mayurbhanj district, officials announced on Sunday. Officials have identified fires at 31 locations within the STR, and they are utilizing appropriate firefighting equipment to control the blaze.

Forest officials have been monitoring these fires over the past few days, with 13 fires identified on Saturday and the number increasing to 31 by Sunday. “The operation is proceeding urgently within the STR. We have deployed staff and firefighting teams to all critical areas to tackle the fire outbreaks,” stated Prakash Chand Gogineni, the field director of STR. Additionally, the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) team is providing assistance, he added.