LAMJUNG (ANN/THE KATHMANDU POST) – Situated in Chame Rural Municipality-1 of Manang, a wildfire that has been burning in the forests of Timang has remained uncontrolled since it began on February 1. In spite of the combined efforts of the Nepal Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP), Forest Division Office personnel, and local residents, the fire persists to spread.
Chief District Officer Matrika Acharya mentioned that although there was a short time when the fire appeared to be managed, it has grown stronger once more. According to him, security staff, forest workers, and community volunteers have been tirelessly working around the clock to contain the fires, despite the deteriorating weather circumstances.
The blaze is expanding in the area situated at a height of about 3,000 metres, and authorities are worried about the rising danger of it approaching neighboring communities. “The dry land and lack of snow have contributed to the rapid spread of the fire,” said Khadga Bahadur Gurung, the ward chair of Chame-1.
Challenges in managing the fire have been intensified by high winds, causing the flames to spread more rapidly. Dhak Bahadur Bhujel, the chief of ACAP Manang, states that as the weather cools down in the evening, the flames are harder to see, yet during daytime, the winds revive the fire. The blaze has inflicted considerable harm on trees, bushes, medicinal flora, and wildlife environments.
While satellite images previously suggested that the blaze could have impacted 80 hectares, officials now believe the fire has affected around 10 hectares of forest.
