Promoting the key role of forest fire prevention and fighting facilities

The dry season of 2025-2026 has officially entered, which is a time of high risk of forest fires. In the context of implementing two-level local government, the forestry sector advises local Party committees and authorities to deploy forest fire prevention and fighting measures (PCCCR) according to the 4-on-the-spot motto, promptly detecting and handling forest fires from the beginning, sustainably protecting forest resources.

As a province with great forestry potential, the total land area planned for forestry by 2030 of Phu Tho (after the merger) is up to 482,432.9 hectares. Currently, the province is maintaining a forest area of ​​462,696.89 hectares, of which 200,997.41 hectares are natural forests and 261,699.48 hectares are planted forests, with 130/148 communes and wards having forests, showing that forestry not only plays a pivotal role in the socio -economy but is also an important "green lung" of the region.

However, forest management and protection (QLBVR) is facing many pressures. In the first 9 months of 2025 alone, there were 33 cases of illegal deforestation in the province, causing damage to 5.2976 hectares; and 09 forest fires, causing damage to 10.02 hectares. The authorities discovered and handled a total of 90 cases of violations of forestry laws, collecting nearly 600 million VND to the state budget.

The causes of these limitations are determined to be extreme weather, prolonged heat and drought, which increases flammable materials and the risk of forest fires. The awareness of some people in forest protection is still low, and the habit of slash-and-burn farming and careless use of fire in the forest still exists.

The Forestry Department cooperates with forces to train in forest fire prevention and fighting skills during the dry season.

One of the subjective reasons pointed out is that in some localities, the leadership and direction of the local authorities is not really strong. In addition, the forest ranger force is still thin, having to operate scattered over a wide area, while the work is highly specific, causing difficulties for patrolling and controlling.

Local authorities play an important role in detecting and promptly handling forest fires.

In 2025, Phu Tho province will begin implementing a two-level local government model (province and commune, ward) according to Resolution No. 202/2025/QH15 of the National Assembly, creating a major change in the state management structure, requiring transparency and direct leadership from the provincial level straight down to the grassroots level. If previously, the district level was an intermediary coordinating unit, now the commune and ward level has become a direct, comprehensive combat unit and is responsible for the top responsibility in its area.

Mr. Dang Dinh Nam, Deputy Head of the Forestry and Forest Protection Department of Phu Tho province, emphasized: In forest fire prevention and control, the role of local authorities and people is especially important. Because this is the place closest to the base, closest to the base and the only force that can handle forest fires most quickly from the beginning, limiting the spread of fire and causing great damage.

In practice, the dry season is a time when the risk of forest fires is always high. This is also the time when people in many places have the habit of burning fields, farming, catching bees... This is an activity with the highest risk of forest fires when encountering dry and windy weather conditions. Forest fires mainly originate from subjective causes such as setting fires to hunt bees, and improper handling of ground cover. To limit the risk of forest fires, local authorities need to continue to operate the "four on-site" motto (forces, means, logistics, on-site command). In the two-level model, this motto must be further specified at the commune level. "On-site forces" are the militia, commune police and people. "On-site commanders" are the Chairman of the People's Committee of the commune, ward and the Commune Steering Committee. If a forest fire is detected and local forces are mobilized to extinguish it within the first 30 minutes, the damage will be minimal. If the "golden time" is passed and the fire breaks out, it will cost many times more to put out and exceed the local capacity.

Faced with the urgent requirements of the dry season and the new management model, the People's Committee of Phu Tho province has given drastic instructions. As early as July 2025, the Provincial People's Committee issued a document directing departments, branches and localities to urgently and synchronously deploy forest fire prevention and control work, ensuring unity and effectiveness. Responsibilities are clearly assigned: the Department of Agriculture and Environment presides, guides and urges; the Provincial Police strengthens the fight against and handles violations; the Provincial Military Command is ready to mobilize forces; the media agencies step up propaganda.

In particular, the direction of the Provincial People's Committee clearly requires the People's Committees of communes and wards with forests: Must strictly implement the law on forest fire prevention and control, enhance the responsibility of cadres, party members and people. Strengthen patrols, inspections, prevention and handling of violations; strictly control the use of fire near forests and slash-and-burn farming. Most importantly, communes and wards must proactively implement "four on-the-spot" measures, regularly update fire warnings. When a fire occurs, it is necessary to mobilize maximum forces and means, handle it quickly, minimize damage, and at the same time investigate and strictly handle the cause and violators.

The provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment has also continuously issued documents requesting the People's Committees of communes and wards to urgently review and consolidate the Steering Committees, forest protection teams and develop specific action plans. The Forestry Sub-Department and Forest Rangers have been directed to maintain stable operations, strengthen close monitoring of the area, and closely coordinate with local authorities. The forestry sector is implementing coordination regulations with functional forces such as the police and army in forest management, protection and fire prevention and control.

During this dry season, forest owners and rangers maintain 24/7 fire protection duty, increase patrols in natural forests and border areas. Forest owners are required to proactively patrol, block, strictly manage people entering and leaving the forest and promptly report when fires occur to coordinate fire fighting, prevent them from spreading, and sustainably protect forest resources.

Le Chung

Source: https://baophutho.vn/phat-huy-vai-tro-then-chot-cua-co-so-phong-chay-chua-chay-rung-242042.htm