Considering the incidents of forest fires and the meteorological department forecasting dry and hot days, the forest department has barred the field staff from going on leave. The principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF) Jai Raj, in a letter to all senior officers of the department has stated that considering the dry weather increasing the probability of forest fires with reports of various such incidents coming from different parts of the state, the officers should ensure presence of staff with necessary equipment in the field. The field staff should not be allowed to go on leave for the time being. Where needed, the assistance of the district administration and other agencies should also be sought for tackling forest fires. The officers made in charge of tackling forest fires in the districts are also expected to monitor the situation and provide necessary guidance to the district level officers, stated the PCCF in his letter. It is pertinent to mention here that according to the data collected by the forest department, this year a total of 763 incidents of forest fires have been registered till May 22. An area of about 1247 hectare has been affected by these forest fires with the estimated loss being calculated at Rs 21,79,427.