Sherab Lhamo
Forest fires broke out yesterday afternoon in three locations in the western region: Katsho in Haa, Neyphu in Paro, and Damchu in Chukha.
The mangmi of Chapcha, Lemo, said that four traditional houses and three huts were destroyed by the fire in Damchu.
She confirmed that all residents in the affected area had safely evacuated.
Officials on the scene said that firefighters were working to contain the fire near Tshamdra Goenpa, which had come dangerously close to the monastery.
Fortunately, residents living near the Goenpa evacuated safely.
The National Centre for Hydrology and Meteorology reported gusty winds in the northern, western, and some central regions as forecasted yesterday.
They indicated that the strong winds experienced in Thimphu in the afternoon may have been intensified by the disruption of the local wind system caused by a nearby forest fire in Damchu.
The Junior Engineer from Dantak, L.K. Singh said the forest fire in Damchu began around 12pm and had since spread over approximately nine kilometers.
Singh said the fire was first reported by local villagers while his team was conducting road maintenance work. The villagers informed him that the fire likely started due to a short circuit in an electric wire.
The Dantak team responded to the scene with two water tankers and 100 laborers to help contain the blaze.
The Royal Bhutan Police, Army, Desuup, Dantak, local community volunteers, and forest officials are trying to contain the fire, but gusty winds and rugged terrain continue to challenge firefighting operations.

The Royal Bhutan Police, Army, Desuup, Dantak, local community volunteers, and forest officials are trying to contain the fire
The mangmis of Paro and Haa reported similar incidents of forest fires.
According to Tempa Gyeltshen, the Mangmi of Shaba, the fire in Neyphu began around 2pm.
Villagers informed him that the fire was likely caused by an electric line falling due to strong winds, although this information has not been confirmed. Efforts to contain the fire were unsuccessful yesterday, and firefighting operations will resume today.
In Haa, Ugyen Tenzin, the mangmi of Katsho, said the fire started around 12 pm, affecting two chiwogs. He said that villagers attributed the fire to a short circuit caused by gusty winds.
Approximately three households were evacuated as the fire approached their homes. The fire remains uncontained, and Ugyen estimated that around 70 to 80 acres of land have been affected.
In light of poor air quality caused by the ongoing forest fires in Thimphu, Haa, and Paro, the Ministry of Health (MoH) has issued a public health advisory.
Residents are urged to stay indoors, limit outdoor activities, and keep windows and doors closed. When going outside, the public is advised to wear properly fitted N95 masks.
To reduce indoor air pollution, the MoH discouraged the use of candles or gas stoves and stressed the importance of protecting vulnerable groups, such as children, older adults, and individuals with health conditions, by ensuring access to clean indoor air.
So far, around nine locations across the country have experienced forest fires this January.