Simrik Air Helicopter Deployed to Control Forest Fire in Tarebhier

Kathmandu. The fire that broke out in Tarebhier on Sunday afternoon has been brought under control using a Simrik Air helicopter. A fire started in the jungle of Tarebhier on Sunday afternoon. However, as security personnel could not reach the main site of the fire, the Ministry of Home Affairs requested assistance from Simrik Air.

Simrik Air dispatched a helicopter after receiving a request from the Home Ministry around 3 PM. The fire was brought under control at 5:45 PM using the helicopter.

Simrik deployed senior Captain Siddharth Jung Gurung and Rescue Specialist Chhiring Dendup Bhote. According to Simrik Air, approximately 12,000 liters of water were dropped from the helicopter to control the fire. Initially, the helicopter sourced water from Sundarijal for this purpose. However, since Sundarijal was at a distant location, causing issues with quick water retrieval, Simrik arranged water from a nearby resort to extinguish the blaze.

Including this incident, Simrik has been using its helicopter to control fires in various parts of the country upon government request at different times. This time too, the company provided its service free of charge.

However, the company currently possesses only one Bambi Bucket. Simrik stated that out of the two Bambi Buckets it previously had, one was destroyed during an arson attack on the Simrik Air office amidst the 'Jen Ji' protests on Bhadra 24, leaving only one remaining.

Although Simrik has been providing services to the government free of charge upon request since the past, the company incurs significant expenses during fire control operations. Substantial costs are incurred for fuel, pilot and staff services, insurance, and equipment usage. Given that the use of helicopters facilitates fire control, the necessity for the government to arrange a budget for this purpose in the coming days has increased.