The rescue force stamped out the last flame at the peak of 2,400 m on the western side of Hoang Lien mountain at noon on February 15, the second day of the lunar New Year festival.

Later on the day, the forest fire control steering committee of the neighbouring Lai Chau province also putted out the fire on Hoang Lien Son peak after four days of firefighting.

The committee said the blaze, spread from a fire at Hoang Lien National Park, destroyed 3.5 hectares of grass cover, according to initial statistics.

All burns were kept under control and troops were withdrawn, it added.

However, 100 soldiers from Military Zone 2 are still on  watch until February 17.

According to satellite data, the fire ravaged about 700 hectares of forest. But, an initial report said about 1,700ha of forest were burnt, including 1,000 ha at Ban Ho and Ta Van villages, 700ha in the area between Lao Cai and Lai Chau provinces. The destroyed areas are mainly alang grass and replanted forests, and the area of the primeval forest is small.