Preserve the green of the forest.

Besides objective factors such as weather and climate, raising awareness of compliance with regulations on forest protection and fire prevention and control has become essential.

In early March 2026, a delegation from the Provincial Steering Committee for Fire Prevention and Rescue conducted on-site inspections of forest management, protection, and fire prevention during the 2026 dry season in the communes and wards of Binh Giang, Binh Son, Hon Dat, Tri Ton, Tinh Bien, Giang Thanh, and Vinh Dieu. The inspections revealed that most forest management units had proactively implemented fire prevention plans from the beginning of the dry season. However, the risk of forest fires remains, especially in areas with large areas of melaleuca forests such as Hon Dat, Binh Giang, and Binh Son. In reality, there are still instances of people entering the forest to fish, collect honey, and illegally exploit forest products; burning fields and clearing land for agricultural production in areas adjacent to forests. If these actions are not strictly controlled, even a small spark can cause a large-scale fire, leaving severe consequences for forest resources and the ecological environment.

Forest rangers in Region IV are disseminating information and reminding households contracted to implement forest fire prevention and control measures during the dry season. Photo: THUY TRANG

Recently, forest management units have intensified patrols, established checkpoints, organized awareness campaigns, reminded residents living near forests, and obtained signed commitments from them regarding forest fire prevention and control. However, compliance among some residents remains inadequate. Many believe that small-scale field burning, especially during periods of low wind, will not cause large fires. This complacency increases the risk of forest fires during the dry season.

Mr. Nguyen Van Teo, a forest management employee of Kien Giang MDF Wood Joint Stock Company, said: “From March to May is the peak time for forest fires due to people entering the forest to collect honey. To protect the forest area during this hot season, the protection teams patrol daily and assign personnel to watchtowers. At the same time, the company coordinates with the police, military , and forest rangers to strengthen inspections of people and vehicles entering the forest.”

According to Mr. Tran Thanh Duoc, Head of the Provincial Forest Protection Department, in 2025, the province experienced 15 forest fires, causing damage to tens of hectares of forest. Many of these fires were caused by carelessness in the use of fire by people living near the forests. Therefore, raising community awareness is identified as a fundamental and long-term solution in forest fire prevention and control. To implement this solution, the Provincial Forest Protection Department directs forest protection units to coordinate with local authorities and forest management units to organize mobile propaganda campaigns, hold community meetings, distribute leaflets, and integrate forest fire prevention and control content into group and village meetings. The local public address system regularly updates forest fire risk forecasts so that people can proactively take preventive measures.

Forest management units sign commitments to protect forests and prevent forest fires with households near forests and those contracted to protect forests; clearly defining responsibilities such as not using fire in the forest without permission, not burning undergrowth indiscriminately, and not bringing flammable materials into the forest during the dry season. Annually, forest rangers also coordinate training and guidance on initial forest fire response skills for the people. When equipped with knowledge and practice using on-site firefighting equipment, people can proactively respond and coordinate effectively with functional forces when incidents occur.

Forests are not only the "green lungs" that regulate the climate, but also a source of livelihood, a protective belt for the environment, and an ecological security measure for the locality. During the peak of the dry season, every citizen needs to raise their sense of responsibility and strictly comply with regulations on forest protection and fire prevention and control. When community awareness is raised, forest fire prevention and control will truly be effective and sustainable, contributing to preserving the green landscape for today and tomorrow.

THUY TRANG

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/giu-mau-xanh-cua-rung-a478610.html