Protecting forests during the peak dry season

Currently, Thai Nguyen province is entering the dry season, causing the risk of forest fires in many key areas to increase. In order to proactively respond and limit damage caused by forest fires, functional sectors and local authorities have deployed many synchronous measures...

Protecting forests in the dry season is an important task, requiring close coordination between specialized agencies, local authorities and communities. Photo: TL

Identify key areas to focus response

The whole province currently has more than 557,000 hectares of forest, with a coverage rate of over 62%, of which many areas of pine forests and planted forests are prone to fire, especially in the dry season. Localities such as Ngan Son, Hiep Luc, Vo Nhai, Cho Moi... are identified as key areas with high risk of fire. Right from the beginning of the dry season, the Forest Protection Department has consulted with the Department of Agriculture and Environment to submit to the Provincial People's Committee to issue Directive No. 03 on strengthening forest management, protection and forest fire prevention and fighting.

On that basis, the Forest Protection Department develops plans, guides and directs localities to review and update key areas, and strengthen forest fire prevention and fighting teams at the grassroots level according to the "4 on-site" motto. At the same time, the Department consults and coordinates with the Provincial Police and the Provincial Military Command to issue Coordination Regulation 408, mobilizing more than 300 officers, soldiers, forest rangers and militia to be ready to respond to forest fires.

Mr. Nguyen Hoang Tung, Deputy Head of the Forest Protection Department, said: The Department regularly directs forces to monitor and update forest fire forecasts, paying special attention to weather information and warnings of risks at key forest locations in the area. We look up data from the software of the Forestry Department and Forest Protection Department, and use Flycam aircraft to detect early signs of abnormalities.

Forest rangers organize training on the use of equipment for members of forest fire prevention and fighting teams at the base.

In addition, the Sub-Department also closely coordinates with local authorities and relevant units to inspect forest fire prevention and fighting; promptly notifies and guides forest owners to proactively prevent. The Forest Protection Sub-Department Office and its affiliated units maintain a 24/24 duty regime when forest fire level is forecast at level 3 or higher, ensuring quick response when incidents occur.

Proactive response plan

We were in the vast pine forests of Ngan Son commune. In the middle of the vast space, rows of tall pine trees stretched along the mountain slopes, their green leaves swaying in the wind, creating a majestic yet peaceful scene. Behind that peaceful appearance was the constant worry about the risk of forest fires during the dry season, when even a small spark could cause the entire forest to burn fiercely.

Forest Protection Unit No. 3, which manages nearly 40,000 hectares of natural land, including more than 27,000 hectares of forest spanning three communes: Bang Van, Ngan Son and Na Phac, is a permanent force protecting the forest. This is an area with a high risk of fire because most of the area is planted with pine, acacia, bamboo and rattan - trees that easily catch fire in the dry season.

Forest Ranger Station No. 3 uses Flycam flying devices to detect early areas at risk of forest fires.

Right from the beginning of the dry season, Forest Ranger Station No. 3 proactively developed a plan for forest fire prevention and fighting; assigned specific tasks to each officer in charge of the area, and coordinated with local authorities to strengthen forest fire prevention and fighting forces in 100% of villages and hamlets.

Mr. Doan Viet Hung, Head of Forest Ranger Division No. 3, said: For large areas, forest fire prevention and fighting work is carried out according to the "4 on-site" principle. Forest fire prevention and fighting teams are regularly instructed by local Forest Rangers and updated with information on forest fire forecast levels.

When the forest fire forecast level reaches level 4 or 5, which means dangerous and extremely dangerous levels, the teams and groups coordinate with the villages and hamlets to propagate through loudspeakers, Zalo groups or social networks to warn people. The content focuses on reminding people to absolutely not use fire in and near the forest, raising awareness of prevention, to ensure forest safety during the dry season.

Currently, the provincial Forest Ranger force is increasing patrols and controls in key forests, especially in areas with high risk of fire. From the province to the grassroots, Forest Ranger teams and groups regularly monitor the area, coordinate with commune authorities and forest owners to inspect sensitive areas that are prone to fire. In addition to maintaining a 24/7 duty regime, the grassroots Forest Ranger force uses Flycam aircraft and an online forest fire warning information system to detect abnormalities early.

Forest rangers and people of Vinh Thong commune patrol to protect forests at Kim Hy Nature Reserve.

Strengthening capacity at grassroots and community levels

With a high sense of responsibility and timely presence at the scene, the Forest Ranger force is making an important contribution to controlling the risk of fire and protecting the safety of forest areas throughout the province. The province has completed 100% of forest fire prevention and fighting teams in villages and hamlets.

Propaganda and warning work is regularly carried out through loudspeakers, Zalo groups and Facebook of villages and hamlets, contributing to raising people's awareness of using fire safely in agricultural and forestry production.

Mr. Ly Hong Minh, Secretary of the Party Cell of Phieng Leng Village, Ngan Son Commune, shared: The village regularly propagates to the people through loudspeakers, Zalo groups, and oral propaganda through village meetings... The village's fire prevention and fighting team also regularly assigns groups to inspect the forests and has been trained by forest rangers on forest fire prevention and fighting.

Organize forest fire drills at the facility.

Regarding this issue, Mr. Nguyen Hoang Tung, Deputy Head of the Provincial Forest Protection Department, added: The biggest difficulty is that the forest terrain is steep, many forests are deeply divided, far from residential areas, when a fire occurs, the force must move by forest roads, carrying rudimentary equipment, making it difficult to access the scene. In addition, the impact of climate change leads to extreme weather conditions, prolonged heat, drought, accumulation of dry leaves, bushes, and firefighting equipment is also difficult to access.

To overcome the difficulties, localities have organized forest fire prevention and fighting drills, combined with training for people and forest owners. These solutions improve the capacity to handle situations, reduce damage when fires occur. At the same time, the community is advised to participate in monitoring, detecting and reporting risks in a timely manner, creating an effective coordination mechanism between functional forces and residents... aiming at the goal of protecting forests, preserving the ecological environment and moving towards sustainable development.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/kinh-te/202511/bao-ve-rung-cao-diem-mua-kho-2a53a50/