Fire has broken out in the Nawaudaya community forest and Sanuwa community forest at Triyuga Municipality ward no 11 and 2 in the district. The fire started in both the forests since Monday and it has not been doused till date.
Sanuwagaun is at high risk due to the forest fire in the Chure region of the Sanuwa community forest, Division Forest Office Udayapur's assistant forest officer Jageshwor Saha said. There are around 50 houses in this settlement.
Locals say they are finding it hard to contain the bushfire as it is fanned by gusty winds. It is said the fire has spread to 150 hectares area in the forest.
Saha said 400 people including the personnel of Nepali Army, the District Police, the Armed Police Force, forest office employees and consumers are trying to contain the bushfire since Wednesday evening, but in vain.
Likewise, the fire that started at the Nawaudaya community forest has spread to more than 200 hectares area, endangering the Chapangaun settlement at Triyuga municipality-11.
The Nepali Army, Nepal Police and the Armed Police Force personnel and forest user committee have been making efforts to douse the fire. However, their efforts have been hampered by the wind.
It is not known who started the fire in the community forests. Mostly, the shepherds and cow herders start fire with the belief that burning a patch of grassland in the forest would help the growth of new grass and foliage for the cattle.
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