The Bhutanese Leading the way.
A Forest fire that broke out in Trashiyangtse and Zhemgang was contained by Forestry officials with the help of the officials of Royal Bhutan Police (RBP)and Desuup residents.
More than 160 people were engaged to suppress the fire which started from Tongshang gewog under Trashiyangtse on the afternoon of 8 March.
According to the Trashigang Chief Forestry Officer (CFO) Kinzang Gyeltshen, the investigation for the cause and source of fire is underway in Tongshang gewog where the fire started.
He said the officials were battling the fire and was not able to ascertain the precise damages caused by the fire but as of 10 March the fire was likely to have consumed more than 300 acres of Chirpine forest.
“The area was very windy and took few days to contain the fire,” said the CFO who thought the fire would not have continued for four days if the resources to suppress the fire were sufficient.
The larger part of forest fire was contained by the fire engine truck from the RBP in Trashiyangtse.
The fire fighters saved about 5 houses that faced the risk of catching fire. In the end there was no damage from the fire to properties and lives in Trashiyangtse.
The fire was contained upon reaching Tongmiyangtse area above Gomkora in Trashiyangtse toward the afternoon.
Another forest fire broke out in Goshing gewog under Zhemgang on 7 March. However, the fire fighters in the gewog were able to suppress the fire after battling it for three days.
The Lamtang chiwog Tshogpa, Dorji Lungtse, said the fire might have resulted from the Tseri (slash and burn) cultivation at a place called Nadbang.
The fire fighters consisting of forestry and local government officials, members of public of Lamtang and Samchoeling chiwogs contained the fire on the second day. The Tshogpa also said that the fire however reignited towards the evening at around 5 PM.
The fire fighters again battled the fire and were able to contain it by 12 noon on 9 March. The officials are yet to ascertain the damages caused by the fire and forest officials are still investigating the cause of the fire.
