Satellite images help control fires in 5 places in Jamshedpur forest division

Jamshedpur: The Jamshedpur forest division has controlled forest fires at five places in a single day with the help of satellite images, officials said.Officials said forest fires were detected at five places in the Jamshedpur circle on March 3, following which response teams were activated and the blazes contained.“The MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) satellite mapping facility was useful in identifying the active fires on a real-time basis,” said Jamshedpur DFO Saba Alam Ansari.The DFO said that separate forest teams were put on patrol duty at vulnerable sites for a quick response as soon as the satellite messages were received.“In the dry season (Feb to April), trees shed leaves, due to which there is always a risk of fire, mostly due to human negligence.

Hence, precautionary measures are taken to avert fire outbreaks,” the DFO said.The officer told TOI that, apart from the satellite images-driven control system, conventional methods were followed to detect and contain the fires.Officials said that in the Jamshedpur and Dalma forest divisions, six separate fire protection squads, which consist of 50-plus foresters involving beat officers, trained fire-fighters, fire-watchers and forest guards, were formed for watch and ward duties in fire-prone areas.

Besides, eight patrolling jeeps were put on 24x7 surveillance duty in the two forest divisions.Further, plans are afoot to rope in eco village committee (EVC) volunteers for monitoring to ensure a rapid response to forest fires.The officer said that, along with conventional fire control methods, the teams are equipped with a blower machine to blow off the dry leaves on the ground.The fire-fighters are equipped with helmets, gloves, goggles and other protective gear so that they safely control the fires.The DFO said that smoking materials and matchboxes are not allowed for visitors into the forest. There is a high risk of fire caused by cigarette and bidi stubs; hence, preventive measures are required.In 2025, about a dozen fire incidents were reported in Dalma forest. In 2024, about an equal number of fire incidents were reported across Dalma and Seraikela forest divisions.