Fires broke out in six community and private forests in Dhankuta on Monday, destroying hundreds of hectares of forest vegetation.

A fire that started in the evening at Wagle Community Forest in wards 3 and 4 of Dhankuta Municipality has put nearby settlements at risk, said Dhan Bahadur Khadka, vice chair of the forest users’ committee. The 22-hectare forest, mostly covered with pine trees, has suffered significant damage.

Another fire was reported on the same day in Tekunala in ward 8 in Dhankuta Municipality, according to police.

A fire also broke out at Kharayo Tea Estate in ward 1 of Dhankuta Municipality, which was brought under control late in the evening with the efforts of police and locals.

Similarly, a fire was reported in Arun Pipley Community Forest in ward 4 of Mahalaxmi Municipality and in a private forest belonging to Lal Bahadur Katuwal in ward 3 of Pakhribas Municipality. The fire in the private forest was controlled by police and locals by the evening.

Police said fires have also been reported in other areas of the district, but details of the damage are yet to be ascertained.