4 people, 7 animals die due to massive forest fire in Uttarakhand

4 people and 7 animals died in fire that erupted in 62 hectares of forest area in Uttarakhand in last 24 hours.

12,000 guards and fire watchers of state forest department deployed to douse the raging fire.

Fire destroyed property worth Rs 37 lakh so far.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Tirath Singh Rawat has called an emergency meeting over the forest fire incidents in the state.

Union government has provided helicopters to state government, and has asked NDRF to assist the administration in fire fighting operations.