Disaster: A forest fire that started at around 2:30pm on Sunday has razed over 100 acres of vegetation in Yonphu Pam, Kanglung, as of yesterday.

The fire that started from Kharsheri village is under control but it is yet to be contained.

Ugyen Wangdi, a passer by noticed a thick blanket of smoke emerging from the forest and informed authorities. More than 100 people comprising of forestry officials, police and locals came together to fight the fire.

“The dry grassland and windy weather made the task more difficult. It was also challenging as the fire had spread to the cliffs making it inaccessible”, a volunteer, Desuup Samdrup said.

Though the cause of the fire is yet to be confirmed, locals suspect it to be caused by human activity. Forestry officials will carry out an investigation once the fire is contained.