Amidst the Similipal wildfire, leaves of all Forest Department personnel of the Baripada Forest Division have been cancelled until further orders.
Informing this, Baripada Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Santosh Joshi said 100 more personnel have been roped in to douse the flames.
As per latest reports, fire incidents have been reported from over 20 points under the Udala, Dujura, Bangiriposi, Rasgovindpur Forest Ranges near the Similipal Biosphere Reserve. Meanwhile, a man has been arrested while setting dry leaves on fire in Dudhiani forest in Mayurbhanj district. Related stories on P2