Disaster: A fire that started in Taksha, Wangdue and spread south to Tsirang is almost under control, forest officials said.

However, those plying down the Wangdue-Tsirang highway are cautioned to watch out for rolling stones after crossing Taksha in Wangdue.

Tsirang forest division senior ranger DB Chhetri said, “It’s risky for vehicles to ply on the road, as boulders roll down the slope. So we had to send a few cars back to Damphu.”

The forest fire in Relangthang in Sergithang gewog, Tsirang started on March 21.

Firefighters, including desuups, armed forces, dzongkhag officials and volunteers, saved three houses on March 23, an outreach clinic and an extended classroom yesterday from the fire.

Around 50 people have been battling the forest fire over steep terrain, which has impeded progress.

“The fire has approximately damaged 300 to 400 acres of chirpine forest,” DB Chhetri said. “We’ll use Google Earth today to find out how many acres of forest have actually been damaged.”

Sergithang gup Dhanpati Sanyasi said that he informed the people of Norbugang chiwog to be extra careful at night.

“Although the settlements weren’t affected by the fire, we have to be cautious and I even informed the villagers that a person from each household have to come with packed lunch and spades to battle the fire today,” he said.

There are 317 households in Sergithang gewog.

By Yeshey Dema, Tsirang

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