A wildfire that broke out at Chari Bhir in Gumdel, Umakunda Rural Municipality-1, Ramechhap district, continues to spread, threatening nearby settlements, said local people.

The inferno that occurred at around 10pm on Wednesday has yet to be doused, and efforts are underway, said the police.

The fire that started from a place called Kedare is spreading rapidly, threatening some houses in the upper settlement, Secretary of Umakunda-1 Kabita Bista said. Locals have been asked to remain alert and move to safer places.

A team led by the ward chair has left for the incident site to control the fire, Bista said, adding that the cause of the fire remains unknown.

Around 80 percent of the ward is covered by forest, and preliminary estimates suggest significant damage to herbs, vegetation and wildlife, authorities said.

Efforts are underway to contain the fire with coordination among locals, security personnel and authorities, they added.