Hon Dat, the forest remains peaceful.

Since the beginning of the dry season, there have been no forest fires in Hon Dat commune, and the number of forestry violations has decreased significantly.

The Standing Committee of the Hon Dat Commune Party Committee inspects forest fire prevention and control work in Hon Dat commune. Photo: THUY TRANG

Following the merger, Hon Dat commune now has 5,868 hectares of forest managed by forest management units including: An Giang Forest Management Board Area 1, VRG Kien Giang MDF Wood Joint Stock Company, and Hon Dat Forestry Enterprise. From the beginning of the 2025 dry season, these forest management units proactively implemented numerous measures to prevent and control forest fires; focusing on deploying dozens of guard posts in the forest area, investing in and preparing good forest fire prevention and control equipment, and developing response plans in case of fire.

VRG Kien Giang MDF Wood Joint Stock Company owns over 1,080 hectares of production forest. The production forest areas are located close together, increasing the risk of fire compared to coastal protection forests. The dense undergrowth borders the rice paddies of local residents. The practice of burning fields, entering forests to collect honey, and fishing are major causes of numerous forest fires.

With a proactive and preventative approach, VRG Kien Giang MDF Wood Joint Stock Company has prepared a full range of fire prevention and firefighting equipment, including 17 fire extinguishers and 6,200 meters of hose. The company has also proactively dredged canals and ditches leading water into the forest, constructed dikes to store water, and regularly pumped water into the canals; cleaned firebreaks to limit the spread of fire to other areas; and assigned teams to patrol and inspect forest fire prevention and control daily.

Mr. Bui Thanh Liem, representative of the Forest Protection Department of Region 5, stated that based on the approved forest fire prevention and control plan, the forest protection force proactively coordinates with local authorities to urge and remind forest management units to strictly implement forest fire prevention and control measures in their managed areas. Forest owners are required to strengthen forest fire prevention and control teams; assign personnel to man checkpoints at forest camps; and patrol and inspect key forest fire-prone areas to ensure readiness for firefighting.

Forest rangers, in coordination with local authorities and forest management units, are stepping up efforts to disseminate legal knowledge on forest fire prevention and control to households living near forests, and to establishments involved in the production, business, processing, exploitation, and transportation of forest products. Simultaneously, they are raising awareness, organizing implementation, and ensuring strict adherence to legal regulations; promptly preventing acts of illegal logging, excavation, and encroachment on forest land.

According to the meteorological and hydrological agency, the drought and saltwater intrusion situation during the 2025-2026 dry season will be approximately at or below the multi-year average. After the rainy season ends, there will still be quite a few days of unseasonal rain in the early months of the 2025-2026 dry season. From December 2025 to February 2026, the total rainfall in the province will generally be at approximately the multi-year average.

To proactively respond to potential forest fire risks during the upcoming dry season in the commune, the Secretary of the Hon Dat Commune Party Committee, Duong Minh Tam, requested that forest management units proactively review all forest land under their management; clearly define the boundaries of their managed areas; strengthen fire prevention and fighting teams; and develop a forest fire prevention and fighting plan for 2026. They should also proactively implement forest protection measures based on the "four on-the-spot" principle. Simultaneously, they should mobilize forces and units in the area to coordinate forest fire prevention and control efforts, and combat deforestation, encroachment, destruction of forests, and illegal logging. Strict action should be taken against those who violate regulations on forest management, protection, and fire prevention and fighting. Furthermore, increased patrols, inspections, and strict control of people entering and leaving high-risk forest areas should be implemented. At the same time, disseminate knowledge about forest fire prevention and control to people living near forested areas.

THUY TRANG

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/hon-dat-rung-van-binh-yen-a465506.html