Sundarbans fire under control, committee formed to determine cause

The fire that broke out in the Sundarbans' eastern forest division near the Kolmateji patrol outpost in Chandpai Range has been brought under control. Authorities have formed a three-member investigation committee to determine the cause of the fire.  

Station Officer of Dhansagar Station, Bapuleshwar Debnath, confirmed the development on Sunday morning.  

"Although fire service members left in the evening, the forest department continued firefighting efforts using its own pumps and pipelines from 9 PM on Saturday. Local residents also joined forest officials in working through the night to bring the fire under control. Fire service teams arrived at the site again at 8 AM on Sunday," Debnath said.  

To prevent any resurgence of the fire, the forest department and local volunteers are closely monitoring the affected area for remaining embers.  

A three-member committee has been formed to find out the cause of the fire. Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) of the Chandpai range of the East Forest Division of the Sundarbans has been made the head of the committee. The committee has been asked to submit an investigation report as soon as possible.

The fire was first spotted by locals around 9 AM on Saturday near the Kolmateji patrol outpost in Chandpai Range. The forest department, along with local residents, attempted to contain the blaze by midday. By the afternoon, five fire service units joined the effort.  

Firefighters, forest officials, and locals created a fire line—clearing dry leaves and soil over a 1.5-kilometer area—to prevent the fire from spreading further. As night fell, the fire service teams withdrew, but the forest department, assisted by over 50 locals, continued efforts to douse the flames.  

Authorities have yet to determine the extent of the damage or the total area affected by the fire.