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A spokesperson for the Hoang Lien national park said the fire began at around 1:40 p.m. Monday, and the flames have spread to over 25 ha of planted forests and grasslands in Ta Van Commune.
"We have brought it under control at two spots."
Forests and grasslands are on fire in Sa Pa. Video courtesy of Lao Cai Online
After rangers at a forest protection station five kilometers away discovered the fire, the Ta Van Commune People's Committee dispatched militia members and forest protection personnel to put it out.
But the difficult terrain and strong winds are stymieing firefighting efforts. As of Tuesday morning Sa Pa has dispatched nearly 840 personnel for firefighting.
A fire also broke out in Sa Pa's Muong Hoa Commune at around 10 p.m. Monday, and over 50 people were dispatched to extinguish it.
It was brought under control by around 1 a.m. Tuesday, but 30 people remain at the spot to respond if a fresh fire breaks out.
A low-pressure area from the west is causing heat waves in the northwestern mountains of Vietnam, according to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting.
They have made the air hot and dry, increasing the threat of forest fires.
