Wild fire guts Volcanoes Park

NORTHERN PROVINCE KINIGI - Fire which broke out at the edge of the volcanoes national park-PNV, AT 7 am in Cyanika sector, Nyagahinga cell had by evening consumed up to 8 hectares and was threatening to cross over to neighbouring Uganda. The government sent Air force helicopters to use aerial water pumping system to try and stop the running fire Authorities mobilized residents, park rangers as well as military and police officers to use anything available including home equipment and cutting trees to try to control the speeding wild fire. Local authorities had not yet established the source of the fire but it is suspected to have been caused by honey harvesters in Nyagahinga. The volcanoes national park, home to the endangered mountain gorilla is covered with bamboo forests, and thick wild trees. According to the district mayor, Samuel Sembagari, wild fire last broke out in the park 20 years ago. By press time, the fire had subsided but smoke covered a wide range of the area and efforts to stop it completely were still in balance. Ends