The Odisha Forest Department has finalised extensive preparations to tackle the upcoming wildfire season.
At a press meet held at Aranya Bhavan, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force Dr K. Murugesan chaired the session, joined by senior officials, including Kartik V., CF, P & SM.
Officials emphasised that wildfires threaten not only forests but also wildlife and the livelihoods of communities dependent on forest resources. Last year, Odisha recorded nearly 29,709 wildfire incidents, largely triggered by dry weather, accumulated leaves, and human negligence. However, satellite-based alerts and swift action by forest staff helped control 99.7 per cent of the cases, minimising damage.
Building on that success, the department has prepared district-specific action plans for 2026. To prevent fire spread, authorities have created 20,461 kilometres of fire lines across forest areas.
This year, technology-driven strategies remain central. AI-powered cameras and drones will detect fires at early stages. The department has deployed 334 dedicated protection squads across ranges and beats, equipped with over 5,000 leaf blowers and other firefighting gear. More than 631 training programs have been conducted to enhance staff skills, while 200 NDRF personnel have received specialised training for wildfire prevention.
Community involvement forms another key pillar. Forest Protection Committees and Eco-Development Committees are spreading awareness in 336 villages. Officials urged residents near forest areas to avoid careless burning and actively participate in safeguarding natural resources.
