Bhubaneswar: Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) authorities have inducted as many as 50 mini drones in both the north and south divisions to track real-time fire incidents that frequently occur in the state’s forests in summer.STR authorities said the mini drones would supplement the AI-based cameras’ fire detection capabilities. The gadgets are expected to help reduce the spread of fire, as fire points can be detected and accessed quickly.“We get satellite feed related to active fire points but the satellite is limited to passing through a particular location every six hours. By the time a fire is detected on the satellite and instructions are passed on to field staff, there is significant spread although we fire-fight and douse the flames. The use of mini drones is efficient in terms of handling and operation. Moreover, even lower-rung trained field personnel can swiftly react to fire points on seeing a minor flame or smoke and douse it before it can spread,” said STR field director Prakash Gogineni.Similipal officials said training, capacity building and sensitisation of communities and panchayat members were completed to address forest fires, which are mostly reported between March and June. This year, two active fire points were detected in Similipal to date.During the corresponding periods in 2025 and 2024, only 3 and 4 fire points were detected in Similipal, thanks to AI-based fire detection cameras. However, in 2022 and 2023, there were considerably more fire points. South Similipal is the deep core habitat that houses 90 per cent of the big cats.The smart camera technology used to monitor forest fires in South America and Africa was installed atop five towers constructed at vantage points in the core and buffer areas of Similipal.Across the state, as many as 969 fire points have been detected so far. “Incidents of fire is on the decline across the state’s forests owing to technology-driven detection and prevention. Moreover, Similipal, which spreads across 2,750 sq km, has reported a falling number of fire incidents over the years (since 2021),” officials said.Moreover, forest personnel now use modern equipment that includes mechanised blowers, special boots, hand gloves, eye shields, helmets and fluorescent jackets. Forest officials said most forest fires in the state are man-made and rampant in summer. Villagers burn dry leaves that fall on the ground to collect mahua flowers. In the process, the forest catches massive fire. Mahua flowers never catch fire.
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