Fire spread in three more community forests, water from helicopters to prevent the settlements from entering
The fire that started on Tuesday in Chisapani Community Forest on the border of Khanikhola and Bethanchok Rural Municipality has spread to three other community forests. Even after 4 days have passed since the burning started, it has not come under control.
The fire that started from Chisapani Community Forest of Khanikhola-1 Tham Lake has spread to the border area of Bethanchok-1, 2, 3 and 5.
Although the Chisapani fire has been brought under control, it has not been brought under control in the other three community forests in the Mahabharata range. Bhagwan Adhikari, chairman of Bethanchok Rural Municipality, said that on Friday, Bethanchok-2 Ramittedanda and Zwano Thumka tried to put out the fire by pouring water from Simric Air's helicopter to prevent the fire from reaching the settlement.
'The helicopter carried water in a bucket from Nangechaur's pond and extinguished the fire in Ramittedanda,' he said Setibhir, Ward 2 Bansghari, Ratanchaur, Ward 3 Deurali Danda, Harel Danda, Gauri Bhanjyang, Dhutidanda, Narayansthan, Chalty of Ward 5 and other places are at risk of fire.
The fire has spread to Bethanchok Rural Municipality's Janjagruti Community Forest, Muldanda Chorande Community Forest and Bethanchok Narayansthan Community Forest since Wednesday, said Chinakaji Shrestha, Forest Officer and Forest Fire Control Focal Person of Kavre Division Forest Office.
He says that it is surprising that there is a fire even in winter. "There is a fire in the middle of winter, it is believed to be due to human error," he said. He said that it is very dangerous to go to extinguish the fire because it is geographically difficult. "There is a fire in Bhir-Bhir. There is no way to reach there, it is estimated that it will take another 2/3 days to extinguish the fire," he said.
In order to prevent the fire from reaching the settlement, he said that the locals have been asked to cut down trees and remove dead leaves at risk areas.
According to Krishna Bahadur Thapa, Divisional Forest Chief, the fire that started from the southern part of the Chisapani Community Forest on January 8 has now reached the northern part. He said that because the northern part is a little cold and humid, the fire is a little less. According to him, there is still a risk of the fire spreading because of the wind.
