New Delhi. 01 May, 2016. Three Air Force helicopters (1 ALH and 2 MI-17) with Bambi bucket have also been deployed to assist the local administration. In view of the urgency of the matter, the team of experts will submit its report to MHA within one week after taking the stock of situation.

Earlier, the Union Home Minister, Rajnath Singh has spoken to the Governor of Uttarakhand, K.K. Paul regarding the incidents of forest fires in the state and said that 116 rescuers in 3 NDRF teams have already been sent to the state. The Centre is providing all necessary assistance to Uttarakhand state to control the forest fires and help in containing the damage, he added.

A four member central team of experts is sent to Uttarakhand to monitor the forest fire incidents in the state. The team of experts consists of Prof. Santosh Kumar, Executive Director, NIDM, S.P. Vashist, DIG of Forests, Ministry of Environment and Forests, K.C. Wadhwa, Special Director, Center for Fire Explosives and Environment Safety and G.C. Misra, Director, Fire Services, Delhi. About 6000 persons from NDRF, SDRF, State Police, Forest Staff and volunteers are also deployed and the situation is under control.