A massive forest fire that broke out in Kigwema village are on Thursday morning has been largely contained, with the coordinated efforts of local youth volunteers, farmers, and village authorities.
Kigwema Village Council chairman, Balie Kire, confirmed that swift action by villagers, particularly potato farmers camping along the foothills, helped prevent the fire from spreading further. The volunteers cleared jungle patches to halt its advance. The fire, which started between 10 and 11 a.m. north of Japfü Christian College, spread rapidly toward Mt. Shürho by afternoon, fueled by strong winds and dry vegetation.
Firefighting teams faced difficulties in accessing the fire due to poor road connectivity, forcing them to turn back as fire trucks could not navigate the terrain, Kire said. Local residents expressed concerns over the environmental damage, with one stating, “It is heartbreaking to see our flora and fauna destroyed again.”
While the exact cause remains unconfirmed, initial reports suggest it may have inadvertently started resulted from unattended farm-clearing fires near Mt. Kipfüzha. Despite strict forest fire regulations enforced by Kigwema Youth Organization and Village Council, the incident highlights the challenges of preventing accidental fires.
Meanwhile, youth volunteers were stationed overnight at the foothills to monitor the situation. According to the latest update from Kire on Thursday night, only a few isolated flames remained, and efforts to contain them were ongoing.