Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Local authorities searching for forest arsonists in Battambang

Local authorities searching for forest arsonists in Battambang

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
Authorities douse flames from forest fire in the Dos Kramom mountain area located in Ta Sanh commune. Police

Local authorities searching for forest arsonists in Battambang

Specialists from Battambang province’s Forestry Administration, along with Samlot district authorities, are conducting a joint search for arsonists responsible for the recent forest fire in the Dos Kramom mountain area located in Ta Sanh commune.

The suspects are presumed to have secretly burned the forest to either hunt for wild animals or grab state land for private ownership.

Provincial Forestry Administration director Pit Phireak told The Post on Wednesday that although fires in the area happen each year, the latest episode was bigger than in previous years as it had spread to the mountain.

“We have yet to figure out the cause of the forest fire. But such fires in Cambodia are generally started by people who do so to catch wild animals or clear the land and grab it.

“Some are also caused by cigarette butts thrown carelessly in the forests. Our officials are now collaborating with local authorities to search for those who burnt the land,” he said.

Commune resident Chuon Chanthorn, 36, told The Post on Wednesday that before the fire spread to nearby forests, a smoke plume was seen rising from the western side of the mountain.

However, no one thought it would spread to near the villagers’ homes.

“The villagers and authorities saw the plumes of smoke rising from the western part of the forest at 10am. The blaze was seen spreading later on at 3pm but the authorities didn’t take immediate action to put it out or contain it.

“It was only when the fire had burnt some parts of the forest and almost spread to Samlot district hall that the police started spraying water to extinguish it,” said Chanthorn.

The district police chief in charge of fire prevention, Rin Charya, told The Post that due to the brushwood covering the western part of the mountain, access to the area was difficult.

His forces could not mobilise fire engines to enter the site and extinguish the blaze. Three fire engines were later mobilised to enter from the eastern side of the mountain. Water was sprayed to prevent the flame from spreading to villagers’ homes and the district administrative hall.

“Forest land in the Dos Kramom mountain area was estimated at 10ha. The forest fire just burnt dead grass and some small trees.

“Even though there was no way of entering the western side, our working group was able to put it out and prevent it from spreading to the residential area. No one was harmed during the fire,” he said.

Maddox Jolie-Pitt Foundation director Kong Mony Chan said fires in the district occurs every year, thus contributing to the poor growth of plants and lack of a safe habitat for the wild animals.

Nevertheless, he said the western part of the forest is mostly covered in brushwood, which easily grows back during the rainy season.

Article 97 of the Forestry Law says that any person found guilty of starting forest fires on purpose and without authorisation will face five to 10 years’ imprisonment.

MOST VIEWED

  • Bareknuckle champion wants Kun Khmer fighter

    Dave Leduc, who is the current openweight Lethwei boxing champion in Myanmar, has announced that he will travel to Cambodia this year to challenge SEA Games gold medallist Prum Samnang any time that is convenient, after their planned match later this month in Slovakia was

  • Five-year-old Hanuman dances his way into hearts of Cambodia

    A young talent from a new-established settlement has emerged, captivating the online world with his mesmerising performances of the traditional Cambodian monkey dance. Roeun Kakada is a five-year-old prodigy who has taken the social media sphere by storm with his exceptional dance skills and dedication

  • Fresh Covid warnings as Thai hospital fills

    A senior health official reminds the public to remain vigilant, as neighbouring countries experience an increase in Covid-19 cases, with the latest surge appearing to be a result of the Omicron XBB.1.5 sub-variant. Or Vandine, secretary of state and spokeswoman for the Ministry of Health,

  • Honda shutters Siem Reap football club

    Japanese football legend Keisuke Honda, the owner of Siem Reap football club Soltilo Angkor FC, has been forced to shut the club down, after it failed to attract sponsorship for the upcoming season. Honda, the former manager of the Cambodia men's national football team, said

  • Hun Sen warns of regional tensions

    ASIA is becoming a dangerous geopolitical hotspot, with several countries announcing that they intend to send naval vessels towards Southeast Asia and on to the South China Sea, warned Prime Minister Hun Sen. “Heated geopolitical issues can easily escalate, namely to war. I am not

  • PM declares ASEAN Para Games open

    The 12th ASEAN Para Games officially kicked off on the evening of June 3 at Morodok Techo National Stadium in Phnom Penh, with a spectacular opening ceremony featuring fireworks and performances by some of the Kingdom’s most accomplished talents. Tens of thousands of sports fans