Haldwani, April 29 -- The forest department personnel and firefighters extinguished a forest fire on Monday in the forests of Thua, near Chhara village along the Bhowali-Almora national highway in Nainital district. The fire started on Sunday evening, according to forest officials. "On Sunday, some unidentified individuals set fire to the forests in Bhowali. Due to strong winds, the fire quickly spread towards populated areas. Seeing the flames approaching houses, residents immediately informed the forest department and the fire brigade team," Mamta Chand, divisional forest officer (DFO) of the Nainital Soil Conservation Division, said. She further said that the fire was doused by Monday. "The forest team also assisted the fire brigade in extinguishing the flames. The task was especially challenging due to the steep slopes in the area," Chand added....