Bhubaneswar, Mar 10: Forest fire in Similipal has totally been contained and only 24 points are detected on Wednesday, which are being attended in the field, officials said.

The Similipal Tiger Reserve is spread over 2750 sq.km and includes 2306.6 sq.km of sanctuary. The entire area is divided into 209 beats. To abate the fire, in addition to 750 regular staff, protection assistants, 800 additional fire watchers have been placed in to service.

“Two ODRAF teams of 25 members each are also engaged along with 20 fire service personnel. Around 400 leaf blowers have now been put in to service in Similipal. Mass awareness drive is being taken up, by way of conducting about 600 awareness meetings on forest fire prevention involving PRI members, Mission Shakti, local tribal leaders and volunteers in Similipal landscape,” said an official.

The State government has also appealed to local public to co-operate with the forest  staff to abate the fire and assist in dissuading miscreants from setting fire in or around forest areas to eliminate future forest fire threat in the interest of humanity.