Kathmandu – Fire incidents have increased due to the dry winter. According to the data of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, fire incidents have occurred in 15 districts in a period of 24 hours.

Fires have broken out in Solukhumbu, Bhojpur and Kavre. The fire that broke out in the Naransthan Community Forest and Janajagruti Community Forest of Bethanchowk Rural Municipality-3 and Chisapani Community Forest of Ward No. 5 of Kavre is spreading. The fire towards Khanikhola was brought under control with the help of helicopters.

Efforts are being made to extinguish the fire in the Bhalukhop Community Forest of Bhojpur Municipality-3.

The fire that broke out in a private forest in Surke of Solu Dudhkunda Municipality-4 of Solukhumbu has been extinguished by the city police, airport security guards, and locals.

According to the records of the Disaster Management Authority, fire incidents have occurred in Bajura, Salyan, Dailekh, Palpa, Rupandehi, Baglung, Kavre, Makawanpur, Parsa, Dhanusha, Siraha, Sunsari, Solukhumbu, Tehrathum and Morang. There has been no human loss due to the fire.

Fires occur mainly during the summer and dry season. The period from Mangsir to mid-Jeshtha is known as the dry season. Fires begin initially from Mangsir and peak in mid-Baishakh. They also decrease after the onset of monsoon.

According to fire expert and Deputy Secretary of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, Sundar Prasad Sharma, 74 percent of fires occur between mid-Falgun and mid-Baishakh. Similarly, 51 percent of fires occur between Chaitra and mid-Baishakh.

It has been found that fire incidents increase due to prolonged drought and carelessness. It is estimated that there are an average of 3,098 forest fires in Nepal annually, destroying 172,040 hectares of forest. However, the government’s efforts to control the fires have not been effective.

It is estimated that the number of forest fires and fires may increase this year as well, as the winter is expected to be dry and the pre-monsoon season is expected to be hot.