Volunteers seen putting out the fresh fire that broke out on Shürho Peak in Kigwema village on Friday (Credit: KYO)
- KOHIMA — Despite
ongoing efforts to contain the blaze that erupted on February 13 in Kipfüzha
area under Kigwema village in Kohima district, a fresh fire broke out at Shürho Peak on Friday morning.
- Kigwema Youth Organisation president Neiphrezo Thorie told
Eastern Mirror that they had initially thought the fire was completely doused
after Friday’s pre-dawn rain.
- However, a few hours later, around 9 to 9:30 am, they
started noticing smoke emitting from the peak, and the fire then quickly spread
to the surrounding areas.
- By the time the volunteers reached the spot, the fire had
already affected the adjoining areas, he said.
- According to Thorie, the fresh fire likely started after the
sun rose and dried the woods that were not completely drenched by the pre-dawn
rain. The flames were further aggravated by dry wind.
- Around 40 to 50 volunteers were involved in putting out the
fire on Friday. A team from the Fire Station Kohima, the Forest department, and
the Southern Angami Youth Organisation assisted the KYO.
- The volunteers used firebreaks and water to contain the fire
on the mountain. Some of the volunteers were seen clearing paths of about 5 to
10 feet gaps to prevent the fire from spreading further to surrounding areas.
- By Friday evening, at around 5 pm, smoke could still be seen
coming out from some pockets.
- “The volunteers are trying their best to contain the fire,
but it is yet to be completely doused,” he said.
- He also informed that the government departments provided
the volunteers with fire safety gear like jackets, caps, cane sticks, etc.
- As for the cause of the fire, the youth leader said that
they will dig into it after the fire is doused.
- However, they suspect that the fire might have originated
from the base area of Shürho Peak as per the photos taken when the fire was first
noticed.
