Mokokchung forest fire contained

The forest fire that broke out at Ungma village on April 3 and was burning for three consecutive days was successfully contained late Saturday night.
The situation worsened due to strong winds on Saturday, causing the fire to spread rapidly and threatening larger stretches of forest and nearby farmlands.
When contacted, the Mokokchung Fire Station officer in-charge (OC) confirmed that the fire that had reportedly started in nearby jungle on April 3 had been contained.
He said their priority was on human habitats as they could not focus much on the jungle due to lack of resources. He mentioned that it was only Saturday evening after report of the fire breaching the surrounding habitats that the fire fighters were pressed into action from both the fire stations (North & South).
The OC explained that one of the major causes of concern was the narrow approach road that hindered fire trucks from entering the area, and thereby remained on guard in pockets where the fire approached the village.
He acknowledged that the collective efforts of public volunteers, and personnel from the Assam Rifles, Mokokchung and Fire & Emergency Services led to the fire being successfully brought under control.
Though the exact extent of damage caused by the fire or the total area affected was yet to be assessed, many felt that this could be one of the largest wildfires reported in Mokokchung in recent times.
Even as the Ungma wildfire raged on, two other wildfires were reported in villages around Mokokchung town Saturday.
Fortunately, both were brought under control and extinguished in time by the respective villagers.
The first incident was reported from Mokokchung village where the wildfire spread near the Mokokchung Municipal Council (MMC) landfill area, about 15 km from the town. Villagers, along with MMC staff, were reported to have brought the fire under control.
The second wildfire occurred in Molungkong area of Mopungchuket village, also located about the same distance from Mokokchung town. The village council sounded the alarm, and the menfolk rushed to the spot, successfully containing the fire. No casualty or major damage has been reported from both the incidents.