Forest fire in Hoang Lien National Park, a primeval forest that covers nearly 30,000 ha and recognised as anASEAN Heritage Park, in the northwestern province of Lao Cai wasfinally extinguished.

The rescue force stamped out the last flame at the peak of 2,400 m onthe western side of Hoang Lien mountain at noon of Feb. 15, the secondday of the lunar New Year festival.

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

The committee said the blaze, spread from a fire at the Hoang LienNational Park, destroyed 3.5 hectares of grass cover, according toinitial statistics.

All burns were kept under control and troops were withdrawn, it added.

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

According to satellite data, the fire ravaged about 700 hectares offorest. 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 areabetween Lao Cai and Lai Chau provinces. The destroyed areas are mainlyalang grass and replanted forests, and the area of the primeval forestis small.

Because of forecast dry weather, the People’s Committee of Lao Caiprovince has order to temporarily halt visits of tourists to theNational Park.

Reasons of the forest fire are still under investigations.

The fire started in a forest in Ma Quy Ho village on Feb. 8 and quicklyspread to the surrounding villages of Seo Choong Ho and Seo Mi Ty ofLao Cai province.

It was reported to be moving toward the centre of the Hoang Lien National Park.

The fire had spread to nearby Lai Chau province’s Tam Duong District onFeb. 11 although it was brought under control after scorching 200 ha offorest./.