Flames and smog engulfed houses and gardens near Tram Chim National Park in Dong Thap Province on Tuesday. The fire, which started around midday in a wetland bird conservation area, spread rapidly towards residential areas, creating columns of smoke visible for hundreds of meters.

Tram Chim National Park, spanning approximately 7,500 hectares, is home to numerous rare bird species, including the Burmese Sarus flying crane from Cambodia. Although thousands of cranes were once found in the park, their numbers have dwindled over time. Dong Thap has ongoing projects aimed at increasing the crane population.

The fire covered a large area of the park, affecting around 100 nearby houses. Authorities have indicated that evacuation plans are in place for the worst-case scenario, although no casualties have been reported so far. Smoke has blanketed several houses along provincial road 843, which is crucial for connecting Tam Nong and Tan Hong districts.

Bay Thum, a local resident, described the fire as the largest she had seen in the area, with flames dangerously close to her garden. "This area has seen fires from time to time, but this is the largest, with the flames getting close to the garden," she said.

Residents attempted to extinguish the fire using branches and automatic irrigation systems. Thum mentioned the intensity of the flames and explosions that spread to a garden ready for harvest. About 200 people, along with firefighting forces, worked together to control the blaze.

Three motorbikes belonging to militia members involved in firefighting efforts were burnt down. The fire caused significant disruption, with thick yellow-orange smog reducing visibility on provincial road 843 and forcing vehicles to use signal lights and travel slowly.