A fire that broke out in the Gorkhanath Community Forest in ward 3 of Bethanchowk Rural Municipality on Sunday night remains uncontrollable. Ward Chairman Kuber Dhakal said the fire began at 11pm and spread to the Chishapani Community Forest.

Dhakal said the Nepal Police, Nepal Army, Armed Police Force, the Division Forest Office, and forest user committees have been alerted. A security team was deployed on Monday to protect the human settlement in Harkabhanjyang, but strong winds have made it difficult to ensure complete safety.

“The wind is blowing excessively, and the fire in the forest has not been controlled,” said Dhakal. He said locals have been urged to stay alert and follow safety measures. The area is arid and lacks water, complicating efforts to extinguish the fire.

The fire has already damaged an estimated 7 hectares of the 193-hectare Gorkhanath Community Forest. Starting in Bolde, the fire has now reached Harkabhanjyang and continues to spread due to strong winds, posing a risk to Thalidanda, Chyalti, and Narayansthan. The blaze has now reached the Chishapani Community Forest.

Additionally, the fire is threatening the tourist destination, Gajaram Parbat, located at the borders of wards 3 and 5 of the rural municipality. According to resident Kamal Nepal, the fire has caused heavy smoke in the village, leading to breathing difficulties and eye irritation.

Earlier this year, in the second week of January, fires also broke out in three community forests of the rural municipality. Helicopters were deployed to protect human settlements when the fire could not be controlled. The blaze in the three forests was fully contained after approximately six days.