Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 5: Massive fire engulfed two large forest areas in the border districts of Rajouri and Poonch , causing a scare among the adjoining villagers and damage to vast tracts of land today.
Official sources said that in Poonch, the fire broke out in Bhatadurian forest near the Line of Control (LoC) in Mendhar Sub Division. It further went on spreading to the larger area but was controlled after rain in the evening. The administration, forest officials, army and locals were working to douse the flames, they added.
Another fire broke out in Nowshera forests in district Rajouri, prompting locals and Forest Department officials to launch a firefighting operation. The teams worked tirelessly through out the day to control the blaze and prevent it spreading further. It caused damage to the flora and fauna in the area. The authorities sounded alert in the adjoining areas.
The twin forest fires destroyed large areas of plantation and other forest wealth. The fire was extinguished with the rain this evening, the officials said.
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