07 January 2006
Bush fires rage in Tibet
(NDTV) Strong winds fanned bush fires in southern Tibet near the base of Mount Everest (Tib: Chomolangma.) Efforts by about 600 police and local residents to extinguish the flames were hampered by the mountainous terrain and a shortage of water. The fires broke out amid scrub in Tingri county. Flames spread along a 15km stretch of brush and trees and reached within about 4km of a forest reserve surrounding the foot of Everest. Initially, workers were thought to have extinguished the fire, but gales reignited sparks and flames were again spreading.