Forest fire prevention during the dry season.

In response to the 2026 dry season, the Forest Protection Department of Region 6, in coordination with forest management units in An Minh and Van Khanh communes, is actively preparing forest fire prevention and control plans starting now.

Forestry officials from Region 6 inspect fire prevention and firefighting equipment. Photo: THUY TRANG

According to the An Giang Forest Management Board, Region I, the area of ​​protective melaleuca forest in An Minh and Van Khanh communes is approximately 2,826 hectares, divided into 3 sub-areas. Sub-area 32, located in Van Khanh commune, is leased to Cuu Long Thanh Minh Trading Company Limited, with an area of ​​151.3 hectares. Sub-area 33 is leased to Kien Giang MDF Wood Joint Stock Company, with an area of ​​1,373 hectares. Sub-area 34, located in An Minh commune, is leased to 145 households and 3 collective units, with a total area of ​​1,259 hectares.

Annually, households and units are allowed to harvest 10-20% of the melaleuca forest on their leased land. After harvesting, the households replant the forest themselves. Therefore, the area of ​​natural forest decreases annually. To date, sub-area 34 no longer has any natural forest. In addition, the leased households also use the embankments to plant hybrid acacia trees, increasing their family income. Surrounding sub-areas 32 and 34, people mainly engage in saltwater aquaculture. Some people enter the forest to catch fish with nets, sometimes use fire to catch bees for honey, and carelessly burn undergrowth, leading to a high risk of forest fires.

Mr. Nguyen Van Toan, Head of the Forest Protection Department of Region 6, said that during the peak of the 2025 dry season, the unit regularly coordinated with local authorities and forest management units to implement comprehensive forest fire prevention and control measures such as: disseminating information on forest fire prevention and control; strengthening patrols, inspections, and handling violations related to forest protection; guiding and urging forest owners to implement plans, conduct drills, and practice forest fire prevention and control plans.

Specifically, in 2025, the forest rangers of Region 6 will conduct two campaigns to disseminate regulations on forest fire prevention and control; forest fire prevention and control measures; and encourage households contracted to manage forest areas to sign commitments to clear undergrowth and vines, and clean the canals for easier access during patrols and inspections; strictly prohibit strangers from entering the forest and cut down all beehives during hot, dry periods.

The Forest Protection Unit of Region 6, in coordination with local authorities and forest management units, has strengthened and reorganized 4 on-site forest fire prevention and control teams; deployed personnel on duty 24/7 at stations, checkpoints, and camps, and equipped them with full forest fire prevention and control equipment according to the "4 on-site" principle, especially in key areas with high fire risk, in order to minimize the occurrence of forest fires.

Mr. Tran Phi Hai, Head of Forest Protection Management Station No. 3 under the An Giang Forest Management Board, Area 1, said: “During the dry season, with prolonged hot weather, the water level in sub-areas 32 and 34 drops very low, posing a high risk of fire. Based on the approved fire prevention and control plan, the station proactively built 5 new water-retaining dams, repaired and operated equipment and vehicles; organized staff to be on duty at fire watchtowers along canals 12 and 27 in sub-area 34; and combined this with using loudspeakers to announce fire risk levels and fire prevention and control measures so that people are aware and can proactively prevent fires.”

According to meteorological and hydrological forecasts, March, April, and May 2026 will be the peak period of hot, dry weather, posing a high risk of forest fires. From this point onwards, the Forest Protection Department of Region 6 and the forest management units have prepared forest fire prevention and control plans, including: proactively reviewing and inspecting fire prevention and control equipment and vehicles for timely repair and maintenance; regularly inspecting water reservoirs, promptly reinforcing and repairing them when damaged, ensuring sufficient water storage capacity during the dry season; strengthening and improving fire prevention and control teams, supplementing personnel in high-risk areas; and continuing to raise public awareness to encourage active cooperation with forest rangers.

THUY TRANG

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/phong-chay-rung-mua-kho-a464931.html