A major fire broke out in a forest located at Charikharia near Chandaka Wildlife Sanctuary, on outskirts of Bhubaneswar on Tuesday. Getting information, Fire Services personnel rushed to the spot and initiated efforts to douse the flame, which was spreading quickly towards the sanctuary.The reason behind the fire outbreak was yet to be ascertained.In the last few weeks, miscreants are setting fires in the forest for poaching and other interests. The State Government has launched a crackdown to nab the miscreants.
The State Government has constituted a task force comprising eight ODRAF teams of 25 members each along with Fire Service officials, who have been engaged to carry out investigation into the increasing incidents of wildfire in the State.