Protecting the forest is like protecting your home.

Entering the peak of the 2025-2026 dry season, Dong Nai faces a prolonged period of hot, dry weather, with significantly reduced air humidity and frequent localized strong winds. Under the forest canopy, the thick, dry, brittle undergrowth becomes a dangerous "flammable material"; even a small spark can ignite a large fire.

Faced with this challenge, from the beginning of 2026, agencies, units, and forest owners in the area have simultaneously tightened forest fire prevention and control measures, deploying forces to be on duty 24/7 at critical points, determined to preserve the greenness of the forests.

The community is contracted to patrol and protect the special-use forest of Bu Gia Map National Park.

According to Mr. Ngo Van Vinh, Head of the Dong Nai Provincial Forest Protection Department, most forest areas are currently under a very high fire risk alert. Forest management units in the province have adopted a consistent approach: proactive prevention from early on and from afar; rapid detection and timely handling; and preventing small fires from spreading into large fires. The system of fire watchtowers, firebreaks, water reservoirs, and patrol routes has been reviewed and repaired comprehensively; core forces, in coordination with contracted communities, maintain continuous vigilance during peak months.

Mr. Vuong Duc Hoa, Director of the Bu Gia Map National Park Management Board, said that the park covers an area of ​​over 25,500 hectares, characterized by a large proportion of pure bamboo and bamboo mixed with other trees, with the risk of forest fires always at level V – very dangerous. At the beginning of the dry season, clearing and burning of cashew plantations often takes place in the surrounding forest area; along with that is the situation of illegal entry into the forest for hunting, trapping animals, and logging…

Uncontrolled use of fire can cause wildfires to spread into the forest. The Forest Protection Department of the National Park has intensified patrols and surveillance in high-risk sub-areas; deployed personnel to man fire watchtowers; cleared dozens of kilometers of firebreaks; and promoted awareness campaigns, organizing the signing of commitments not to clear or encroach upon land, and not to allow fires to spread into the forest. In addition to the core force, 15 community units contracted to protect the forest maintain 6 people per shift, patrolling 24/7 throughout the dry season.

In the border area, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Vinh, Deputy Director of the Bu Dop Protective Forest Management Board, said that the unit currently manages about 8,500 hectares of forest land, including 6,500 hectares of natural forest. The unit has implemented many comprehensive fire prevention and control measures: propaganda and signing commitments with people; building fire forecast signs; deploying forces to be on duty 24/7 during hot weather; and regularly monitoring for fires in key sub-areas. In addition, fire prevention structures are inspected and repaired; artificial lakes are replenished with water; and 15km of firebreaks in sub-areas 58, 59, 60, and 73 are regularly cleared and cleaned to minimize flammable materials.

Cat Tien National Park, with an area of ​​over 82,000 hectares of evergreen broadleaf forest, bamboo, and mixed forest, faces constant challenges in forest fire prevention and control. Mr. Nguyen Thanh Long, Deputy Head of the Forest Ranger Station of Cat Tien National Park, stated: “The unit maintains fixed fire monitoring points in high-risk areas; deploys personnel on duty 24/7; closely monitors weather developments and regularly issues forest fire forecasts to ensure timely response plans. In 2026, forest fire prevention and control here will have a new focus: increased application of technologies such as fire warning data, SMART, GIS, and GPS to monitor hotspots, support operational management, and identify risk zones.”

The Dong Nai Nature and Culture Reserve manages over 100,000 hectares, including more than 68,000 hectares of forest land and over 32,000 hectares of Tri An Lake's surface water. According to Mr. Tran Dinh Hung, Head of the Forest Ranger Station of the Dong Nai Nature and Culture Reserve, the Fire Prevention and Control Command and regional subcommittees maintain constant vigilance, ready to receive information and handle situations. Forest rangers are increasing patrols and controlling people entering and leaving the forest; resolutely preventing the act of bringing fire into the forest; the Reserve focuses on clearing undergrowth according to proper technical procedures; renovating and maintaining fire watchtowers, water dams, and stations; and maintaining patrol routes. The unit is also managing and operating facilities serving the conservation of Asian elephants, contributing to maintaining ecological balance.

At the Tan Phu Protective Forest Management Board, 67 dedicated forest protection officers and staff are deployed according to the "four on-site" principle. The unit is fully equipped with blowers, mobile water pumps, shoulder-mounted water sprayers, and hand tools. The unit has signed 926 fire prevention and control commitment books with households near the forest; organized awareness campaigns and drills; cleared firebreaks; repaired and supplemented firefighting equipment and tools, and improved on-site response capabilities.

According to Mr. Ngo Van Vinh, throughout the province, inter-agency teams at the provincial and district levels are stationed on standby, ready to mobilize forces, materials, equipment, and logistics to handle urgent situations; at the same time, they investigate and clarify the causes and perpetrators of violations to strictly handle them according to the law and consider the responsibility of management when forest fires occur.

In addition, forest restoration after fires (if any) is being prepared in advance, ensuring rapid and sustainable ecosystem restoration. Forecasts indicate that the hot weather will continue, and the risk of forest fires remains high. Units are determined to maintain a strict 24/7 duty roster in critical areas; intensify patrols and inspections; tighten management of fire use in and around forests; and proactively review and reduce flammable materials at key locations. Furthermore, they will improve inter-agency coordination; leverage the role of community-contracted forest protection groups and influential individuals in disseminating information and providing reminders; and closely monitor weather developments to adjust plans accordingly.

The general message conveyed to the people is "protect the forest as you protect your home." Every citizen should be a "forest guardian," raising awareness and responsibility in the use of fire and the protection of forest resources.

Source: https://cand.com.vn/doi-song/giu-rung-nhu-giu-nha-i797787/