Gangtok, Sikkim, India -- Police and fire services personnel battled hard to control the forest fires which gutted around 25 hectares of forest land at Raksang here.

At least ten forest fires, triggered by prevailing dry weather conditions, broke out across Sikkim since yesterday.

Forest department officials said blazes broke out in at least 30 different forest areas in past four days and fire services personnel had a hard time to contain the flames in four places while fire in other places were put off.

"We had a trying time to contain the fires at Raksang forest in West district, Tumin forest at South district and reserve forests at Namnang and Arithang near the state capital, the officials said.

About 70 fire fighters comprising forest guards, members of Eco Development Committees (EDCs) and Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs) have been pressed into service to douse the flames, they said.

Apart from the dry weather, the spate in the forest fire could be attributed to the garbage dumped there, the officials said.