With the risk of forest fires at an extremely critical level, Lang Son province is proactively responding.

Lang Son - Lang Son province is implementing response measures as the forest fire risk forecast in the area is at level IV and V (critical and extremely critical).

Do not clear vegetation with fire.

In Dinh Lap district, on March 21st and 22nd, residents in the communes of Dong Thang, Dinh Lap, Chau Son, Thai Binh , Kien Moc, etc., carried out burning of undergrowth, leading to fires spreading into the forest and causing significant damage. The District People's Committee has requested local authorities to strictly prohibit all acts of using fire in or near forests, burning or clearing undergrowth for reforestation, and burning fields for cultivation.

“We have instructed the communes to request people and forest owners to temporarily stop burning and clearing undergrowth during the hot, dry season until it rains. The communes have deployed permanent forces at checkpoints and stations to strictly control people entering and leaving areas with a high risk of forest fires and to severely punish violations,” said Nguyen Chien Hiep, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Dinh Lap District.

Currently, the forest fire risk forecast level in Lang Son is at dangerous and extremely dangerous levels. Photo: Hoang Nghia.

According to the Lang Son Forest Protection Department, 18 fires occurred in the province during the first three months of this year. These included two forest fires that damaged 1,807 hectares of planted forest and 16 fires (grasslands, shrublands, etc.) affecting approximately 38.81 hectares in the districts of Van Lang, Van Quan, Huu Lung, Loc Binh, Cao Loc, and Lang Son City.

The fires were promptly extinguished by local authorities and relevant agencies. However, currently, many people are engaged in production activities such as clearing vegetation for reforestation, clearing vegetation from custard apple orchards in rocky mountainous areas, burning rice paddies for sanitation, and burning votive paper during the Qingming Festival, which poses a very high risk of forest fires.

“Most people are aware that burning undergrowth at this time of year easily leads to forest fires. However, many are still very careless, resulting in several serious incidents. Currently, authorities are reviewing the details and consolidating the case files. If there is sufficient evidence, legal action will be taken to deter similar behavior,” said Nguyen Huu Hung, Head of the Lang Son Forest Protection Department.

According to Mr. Hung, in order to prevent forest fires and minimize damage, the Sub-Department has proactively implemented various measures, including requiring the Forest Protection Units in districts and cities to organize mobile public awareness campaigns using loudspeakers to advise people and forest owners not to use fire to clear undergrowth or engage in other fire-related activities that pose a risk of forest fires during periods of dry, hot weather.

Forest rangers in charge of the area must advise local authorities to regularly broadcast warnings and disseminate information on forest fire prevention and control through the public address system in villages and hamlets; regularly monitor forest fire forecast information in the province at the website: Kiemlamvung1.org.vn; and promptly disseminate forest fire forecast information through mass media when the forest fire forecast reaches level IV or V so that localities, forest owners, and people are aware and can proactively implement forest fire prevention and control measures.

The Sub-Department also requested that the Forest Ranger Stations organize a 24/7 standby force when the forest fire risk warning level reaches level III or higher; regularly inspect forest fire prevention and fighting equipment and tools, ensuring that forces, vehicles, and equipment are ready to participate in forest fire fighting when mobilized. The Forest Ranger Stations urged and guided forest owners to proactively review forest fire prevention and fighting plans, clear undergrowth to reduce flammable materials in high-risk forest areas; regularly coordinate patrols and inspections in key forest fire-prone areas, promptly detect, prevent, and handle any acts causing forest fires...

Lang Son forest rangers guide local people on forest fire prevention and control. Photo: Hoang Nghia.

Fight fires early, starting at the grassroots level.

With the current forest fire risk forecast at a very high level, the People's Committee of Lang Son province has directed the Department of Agriculture and Environment and the People's Committees of districts and cities to strictly fulfill their responsibilities in forest fire prevention and control. The guiding principle is prevention, and firefighting must be carried out early and at the grassroots level. The Department of Agriculture and Environment will closely monitor the use of fire in and near forests by the people, especially activities such as slash-and-burn farming and using fire to clear vegetation. They will promptly prevent and strictly handle any acts of using fire that pose a high risk of forest fires, particularly during periods of dry, hot weather.

The Department needs to review, update, and improve the local forest fire prevention and control plan according to the "four on-the-spot" principle, promptly addressing any shortcomings and deficiencies that have been identified; proactively allocate forces, equipment, materials, and funds to ensure forest fire prevention and control in the area, especially in areas with a high risk of forest fires.

In addition, the province requires units to closely monitor and supervise, promptly detect fire outbreaks; proactively direct and deploy firefighting efforts when forest fires occur in the area. Particular attention should be paid to evacuation efforts to ensure the safety of people's lives, and to mobilizing forces to control and extinguish forest fires in the shortest possible time.

The Provincial People's Committee directs relevant agencies to investigate and clearly determine the causes of forest fires, strictly punish those who intentionally violate regulations on forest fire prevention and control; and hold accountable the heads of agencies and organizations if they are negligent in leadership and direction leading to forest fires. At the same time, promptly commend and reward individuals and organizations that perform well and actively participate in forest fire prevention and control.

Source: https://nongnghiep.vn/nguy-co-chay-rung-cap-cuc-ky-nguy-cap-lang-son-chu-dong-ung-pho-d744865.html