(Update): The forest fire in Trashigang has completely gutted seven permanent houses in Bidoong Gewog yesterday. Ten other houses in the Gewog were also partially damaged by the fire. In addition to that, the fire also burnt down 11 empty (Gungton) houses in Bartsham and Bidoong Gewogs. Including the cowsheds, the fire has caused damages to 32 structures as of today.
The fire in most parts of Bidoong, Bartsham and Samkhar Gewogs are now under control except in some parts of Phongmed Gewog. So far there are no reports of damages caused in Phongmed Gewog.
Forestry officials and volunteer fire fighters continue to battle the forest fire in Trashigang for the third consecutive day, today.
The fire first started below Muktangkhar village in Bartsham Gewog on Tuesday at around 8:30 in the morning. Fanned by strong wind, the fire quickly spread to other areas in the gewog. Forestry officials and local fire fighters could do little to douse the fire. So they stood guard of the houses nearby and managed to save many houses.
By second day, the forest fire had spread to Bidoong Gewog and Ramjar Gewog in Trashi Yangtse. The fire even crossed Rangjung river and spread to Samkhar Gewog.
In Bidoong Gewog, the strong wind drove the fire spread dangerously close Bidoong Lower Secondary and nearby villages. The school immediately evacuated the students to a safer place. The volunteer fire fighters however managed to save the school from the fire.
The fire also blocked the roads, delaying the fire fighting machine and fire fighters to reach the site.
The Dzongkhag Kidu Office distributed emergency relief kits to the affected families.
