Localities proactively respond to forest fires during hot season

The Central region is entering the hot season, with a high risk of forest fires - Photo: VGP/Luu Huong

'4 on-site' and '5 ready'

Hue City currently has more than 100,000 hectares of planted forests, of which more than 77,000 hectares are at high risk of forest fires during the hot season, especially the key areas of pine forests (more than 4,700 hectares) and native tree forests (more than 6,600 hectares).

Hue has identified five key forest fire areas, including: Bac Hai Van; Thuan Hoa district - Huong Thuy town; Phu Xuan district, Huong Tra town and National Highway 49 in Huong Tra town; A Luoi and National Highway 49 in A Luoi district; Phong Dien town - Quang Dien district.

According to the Hue City Forest Protection Department, in the summer, prolonged drought has caused many reservoirs and streams to dry up, making the ground vegetation dry, flammable and leading to forest fires. In particular, most of the planted forest areas are located in mountainous areas with steep slopes, making it difficult to move and approach the fire, making fire prevention and control work even more complicated.

In recent times, Hue has proactively and synchronously deployed many drastic solutions to prevent forest fires, in which the motto "4 on-site" (forces, means, logistics, command) and "5 ready" (forces, means, logistics, command and information) have shown remarkable effectiveness.

Mr. Le Ngoc Tuan, Head of the Hue City Forest Protection Department, said that the mottos "4 on-site" and "5 ready" are basic principles to help mobilize and organize forces and means effectively on-site, promptly handling forest fire situations, especially in high-risk areas.

"Hue City has a relatively large area of ​​planted forests at risk of fire, often affected by hot, dry weather and Lao winds in the summer, increasing the risk of forest fires. Meanwhile, the terrain is steep and complex, so applying this principle allows forces and people to quickly deploy to the fire location, and at the same time, through on-site forces, they can support rescue forces to approach the fire effectively," Mr. Tuan assessed.

Ready means to respond, reduce forest fire damage - Photo: VGP/Luu Huong

Prevention is key, fire fighting must be timely.

To protect forest areas and minimize damage caused by forest fires, localities are implementing the motto "prevention is key, fire fighting is timely".

Quang Binh province has a total forestry land area of ​​650,154 ha, of which 144,311 ha are special-use forests, 151,742 ha are protection forests, 317,828 ha are production forests and the area outside the planning of the above 3 types of forests is 36,273 ha. The forest coverage rate of the whole province is 68.54%.

With the motto "prevention is better than cure", right from the beginning of the dry season, the Provincial Forest Protection Department has advised the Provincial People's Committee and the Steering Committee of the Sustainable Forestry Development Program to direct units, localities, and forest owners to implement solutions, such as: Strengthening inspections, guiding forest owners to clean forests, and treating vegetation to reduce combustible materials before the dry season; consolidating forest fire prevention and control teams at the grassroots level; developing forest protection plans according to the motto "4 on-site".

Currently, the Provincial Steering Committee has directed the forest rangers and forest owners to regularly organize PCCCR patrols, monitor fire spots via satellite images and receive fire alarm information. On extremely hot days, the forces are on duty 24/7 at guard towers and in the field in key areas.

Vice Chairman of Quang Binh Provincial People's Committee Doan Ngoc Lam requested units, local authorities, and forest owners to focus on protecting forests, fully preparing human resources, vehicles, tools, and logistics to be ready to respond when forest fires occur during the hot season.

In Quang Ngai , Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Tran Phuoc Hien requested the authorities of communes, wards, towns, forest owners and local functional forces to strictly implement fire prevention and control. It is necessary to strengthen inspection and supervision of fire prevention and control, in which prevention is the main focus, fire fighting must be timely; strictly control the use of fire in and near forests, especially slash-and-burn farming activities, and vegetation treatment by fire, especially during periods of prolonged heat and drought.

Localities also proactively review and supplement fire prevention and control plans, clearly identify key areas at high risk of fire; arrange forces and means according to the motto "4 on-site" and "3 ready" (active prevention, timely response, overcoming consequences). When a fire is detected, it is necessary to promptly mobilize local forces to handle it, not allowing the fire to spread, become large or last for many days.

The Department of Agriculture and Environment closely monitors weather developments, especially in key areas with high risk of forest fires; promptly provides information to localities to proactively implement forest fire prevention and control plans; forest rangers increase patrols, control, detect and promptly handle forest fire risks; organize forest fire prevention and control safety inspections in areas where fires frequently occur.

Be ready to support local forces, equipment, fire information and command work when there is a large fire; promote the application of high technology in forecasting, warning and early detection of forest fires.

Luu Huong

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/cac-dia-phuong-chu-dong-ung-pho-chay-rung-mua-nang-nong-10225050809110832.htm