India, March 17 -- Amid the increasing number of fire points being detected across Odisha this summer, the Forest Department has created around 15,723 kilometres of new firelines in the State to effectively prevent the spread of wildfires, the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) and Head of Forest Force (HoFF) Suresh Pant said on Monday.

In a coordinated effort, the Department has put in efforts to control forest fires. However, in cases where fires escalate, the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) will be mobilised for additional support through the Home Department. The State has been a trailblazer by employing the Odisha Forest Management System (OFMS) forest fire application to efficiently address these issues, PCCF P...