Baripada: Forest fires have erupted around the Similipal wildlife sanctuary in the Mayurbhanj district of Odisha.
Over 36 large fires were reported at four places under Gurugudia and Talabandha ranges in Similipal, and the forest officials and the fire services department are trying to control the spread of fire in large areas.
Last year forest fire caused extensive damage to the sanctuary as large areas continued to burn for over a month. To avoid the same situation, as many as 700 forest officials have been engaged to douse the flames in the dense forest.
As many as 500 fire extinguishers have been kept ready and all types of arrangements have been made to control the fire, informed the forest officials.
Meanwhile, five persons have been arrested on charges of setting fire in the Naana range in Similipal. As per the officials, the accused persons set the forest on fire to hunt wild animals.
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