A large forest fire spreads at the Hoang Lien Son National Park in the northern province of Lao Cai on February 20.
Speaking with Dantri/Dtinews on Tuesday morning, the chairman of Sapa Town People's Committee, To Ngoc Lien, said that the fire started at 1.40 pm on February 19 in two forested areas in the Hoang Lien Son National Park.
"Right after being informed of the fire by local forest rangers, we mobilised a team of some 500 people including forest rangers, and locals to try to control the fire," Lien said, adding that the rescue work has faced challenges due to strong wind and difficult terrain. The fire occurred in mountainous areas some 1,900 metres above sea level.
As of 2 am on February 20, the fire had been put under control but it broke out again at 4 am. Nearly 20 hectares of forest have been burnt down.
According to the National Centre for Hydrometeorological Forecasting, the northwestern region is facing a heat wave with dry weather, posing the risk of fire.