The fire started in a forest in Ma Quy Ho Village on Monday and quickly spread to the surrounding villages of Seo Choong Ho and Seo Mi Ty. The fire was reported to be moving toward the centre of the park.

The park is a primeval forest that covers nearly 30,000ha and recognised as an ASEAN Heritage Park.

Hot and dry weather coupled with strong wind saw the fire quickly fall out of control, said Pham Van Dang, director of the park. Despite the thousands of volunteers who had come forward to assist in firefighting efforts, the blaze continued unabated.

Lao Cai Province People’s Committee has asked Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung for firefighting resources and modern equipment.

Yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai, accompanied by Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Cao Duc Phat, arrived in Lao Cai Province to lead the battle against the inferno.

Hai said he would send in more advanced facilities to stamp out the fire.

Hundreds of para-militaries from Sa Pa District together with two battalions of soldiers have been sent to the site.

So far, some 2,000 people have been directly involved firefighting activities.

Three rescue planes studied the fire before pumping water into the forest yesterday.

Ma Quang Trung from the Sa Pa District Party Committee said the fire had also destroyed hundreds of hectares worth of cardamon crop.

The fire had spread to nearby Lai Chau Province’s Tam Duong District yesterday although it was brought under control after scorching 200ha of forest.

Authorities however remained cautious as strong winds were anticipated to carry the fire to the province’s Than Uyen District.