Tram Chim National Park fire brought under control
VOV.VN - Relevant forces have controlled a fire that broke out in the forest of Tram Chim National Park dubbed a haven for several rare and protected species of bird in Tam Nong district of Dong Thap province on June 11.
More than 200 people, including firefighters, militiamen and on-site forces, were deployed to pump water to put out the fire, according to authorities of Dong Thap province.
The fire started in area A1 of the cajuput forest at noon, creating a towering column of smoke that significantly reduced visibility along the provincial road, thereby bringing traffic to a grinding halt.
The fire then spread quickly due to the hot weather and strong winds, said the park's management board, adding the full extent of the damage is not yet clear.
Relevant forces have evacuated local residents near the site to safe areas and have kept watering to completely extinguish the fire, said Nguyen Van Vu Minh, director of the Dong Thap provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.
It is estimated that about 20ha of cajuput forest have been burned by the fierce fire, said Minh, adding relevant forces are evaluating the damage.
Tram Chim National Park spans an area of nearly 7,500 hectares and was designated as Vietnam's 4th Ramsar site in 2012, underscoring its significance in conserving rare flora and fauna, both nationally and globally.
The park serves as a sanctuary for various endangered species, most notably the red-crowned crane.
