The fire in the green community forest in Khumbu Pasang lamu Gaonpalika-2 of Solukhumbu has been brought under control. The fire started on Sunday afternoon and was brought under control after four days, said Ward Chairman of Ward No. 2 Aang Phurba Sherpa.
According to the villagers, the fire was brought under control after four days with the help of helicopters, locals, Nepal Police and Nepal Army. Ward Chairman Sherpa said that a firefighter's Simrik Air helicopter has been used since Monday as locals could not control the fire. The helicopter used by the village municipality had used 95,000 liters of water to control the fire.
The blaze had to close at Tenzing Hillary Airport in Lukla for about an hour on Monday morning due to smoke from the blaze. The village municipality has stated that it is yet to ascertain the extent of damage caused by the fire even though various species of plants including pine and sorghum have been destroyed.
The cause of the fire is being investigated and the details of the damage are being prepared, said Ward Chairman Angfurwa Sherpa. Thirteen houses in Nakchung village were at high risk due to the fire. Tasilhamu Sherpa, acting chairman of the village municipality, informed that all the mechanisms have been used to protect the settlement.