DHAKA, May 5, 2024 (BSS) - The forest fire in Amarbunia camp of Chandpai
range under the Sundarbans East Forest Division in Morelganj upazila of
Bagerhat district is now under control.
 
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change issued a statement to this
end this afternoon.

It said the fire did not spread to the top of the tree or branches, only
spread sporadically above the ground.

Although the fire is under control, fire fighting activities will continue
here for the next few days.

Because the forest fire seems to be extinguished or controlled for the time
being, but again at any time it can be created anew and spread, said the
statement.

A three-member probe committee has been formed by Divisional Forest Officer
(DFO), East of Khulna Circle of the Forest Department to investigate the
exact cause of the fire.

Apart from the forest department, several units of fire service, navy,
police, district administration, upazila administration, public
representatives, Community Patrol Guards (CPG), volunteers and local people
provided assistance in extinguishing the fire.

Besides, an Air Force helicopter also assisted for extinguishing the fire by
sprinkling water from above.

The fire was first reported on Saturday May 4, 2024 at approximately 3.30 pm.
As soon as the incident of fire was reported, the people of the forest
department as well as the fire service and other related government agencies
reached the spot.

The Forest Department personnel started cutting fire lines around the blaze
with the help of local community patrolling groups, village tiger response
teams and local people. But due to low tide at that time there was no water
in the canal so it was not possible to give water to the fire.

However, the forest department's own firefighting equipment and water
dispenser were brought in at night and it was prepared and set by pipe.

From early today, the forest department workers, fire service, local people,
CPG people started cutting the fire line around the fire place and dousing
the fire with water.

Around the place of fire, the work of cutting the fire line covering an area
of about five acres is going on.

However, since the fire is spreading underground through the roots of the
trees, it has to be extinguished with caution.

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury and
the Secretary of the Ministry Dr. Farhina Ahmed have been supervising and
coordinating the Sundarbans firefighting operations round the clock.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is aware of the matter and is keeping a regular
check.
 
Chief Conservator of Forests Md. Amir Hossain Chowdhury has rushed to the
scene of the Sundarbans to supervise the activities on the ground.

 He will brief the journalists at the office of the Divisional Forest Officer
of the Sundarbans West Forest Division in Khulna today at 8:30 pm regarding
the latest progress and action in this regard.