Posted on January, 29 2015

WWF’s team of nine started our journey from the source of the fire – now only rubble - a little further south from the resort.  Teams from the police force, DeSuups, RSPN, and community groups all travelled up the smoldering mountainside with water bottles and branches of blue pine, oak, or rhododendron in hand.   
 
Each group had its own strategy, but together it was as if they all formed a complementary team.  The army and some of the police and community groups were already at the fire-line fighting off flames; some would venture bravely in the crackling forest to stop the flames from spreading their tentacles.  Others, including myself, would follow in the wake of the destruction to extinguish the remains of the fire, both to stop it from spreading anywhere else and to save the trees that were in danger – still standing but aching from blistering roots.
 
For the most part, no one seemed to notice the physical discomfort from bellowing smoke in our lungs and sore legs, as if stopping the fire was the only thing that mattered for the day.  In a recognition that we were all in this together, groups shared food and water with those who didn’t have any.
 
By 3pm, the fire had moved around the mountain heading for Wangchuck Resort.  The army and some others were still at its line trying to force it into surrender, while the rest of us realised there was little left we could do.
 
Slowly, a stream of exhausted navy-blue, orange, and un-uniformed bodies made their way down the charred mountainside.  At the bottom awaited what seemed like a heavenly oasis on the back of a WWF vehicle - boxes of juice, water, and an assortment of sweet and savory sustenance.  A brief interlude for tired bodies to refuel themselves.
 
By this time, word arrived that the fire was confidently making its was towards the resort and monastery.  The DeSuups, army, police, community groups and other groups were already making their way to tackle it from that side.  Again, there was a sense of shared teamwork, with the army and some DeSuups again at the front line, attempting to keep the fire encroaching from above, while we helped community groups clear a 3m wide fire break between the forest and the monastery.
 
As the sky slowly turned dark and the cold set in, it was easy to see the flickering orange line dancing its way down the mountainside.   Prime Minister Tobgay was again at the scene.   As a team, we left knowing that we had done what we could for the day, but the army stayed on the fight until 4am on Tuesday morning.  They were supported by members of the community who spent the night by the monastery to offer tea and food, or able bodies if it came to that.  By sunrise the resort and the monastery were safely untouched.
 
More than anything, this fire, like all fires I’m sure, was a showcase of the unquestioning coming-together of Bhutan’s people.  It was a show of joint responsibility and bravery from all groups and organisations - each playing a part, whether risking facing the flames head on or offering support in the form of food, tea, or just a supporting presence.   It is something the country can be proud of. 
 
The Forest Fire Management Section of the department has rolled out a forest fire prevention awareness campaign, which included teaching communities about fire risk and prevention methods, as well as hands on training to volunteers, DeSuups, and foresters.   However, forest fires still present one of the biggest threats to Bhutan’s forests according to the Ministry and Agriculture and Forests.
 
In the Winter of November 2012 to May 2013, 34 incidents of forest fires were reported, destroying more than 12000 acres of land.  Thimphu alone lost 2,520 acres of forest cover in 11 fires. 


- Lise Pretorius (WWF Bhutan Volunteer 2014)