Dry season forest fire prevention

Officers of Forest Protection Department Area 6 check fire prevention and fighting equipment. Photo: THUY TRANG

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

Every year, households and units are allowed to exploit 10-20% of the contracted area of Melaleuca forest. After exploitation, households replant the forest themselves. Therefore, the area of natural forest decreases every year. Up to now, sub-zone 34 no longer has natural forest. In addition, contracted households also use the embankment to plant hybrid acacia trees, increasing their family income. Surrounding sub-zone 32 and sub-zone 34, people mainly cultivate saltwater aquaculture. Some people go into the forest to catch fish, sometimes use fire to catch bees for honey, and carelessly burn the ground cover, leading to a high risk of forest fires.

Mr. Nguyen Van Toan - Head of Forest Protection Department Region 6 said that during the peak period of the 2025 dry season, the unit regularly coordinates with local authorities and forest owners to synchronously implement fire prevention and control measures such as: Propagating fire prevention and control; stepping up patrolling, inspection, and handling of violations in forest protection; guiding and urging forest owners to implement plans, drills, and practice forest fire prevention and control plans.

Specifically, in 2025, the forest rangers of Region 6 will carry out 2 propaganda campaigns on forest fire prevention and control regulations; forest fire prevention and control measures; and propagate households receiving forest contracts to sign a commitment to clear undergrowth, vines, and clean canals for convenient patrolling and inspection; strictly prohibit strangers from entering the forest and cut down all bee nests during hot and dry times.

Forest Protection Department of Region 6 coordinated with local authorities and forest owners to consolidate and improve 4 on-site forest fire prevention and control teams; arranged forces to be on duty 24/7 at stations, posts, and camps and fully equipped with fire prevention and control equipment according to the "4 on-site" motto, especially in key areas with high risk of fire to minimize the possibility of forest fires.

Mr. Tran Phi Hai - Head of Forest Protection Management Station No. 3 under An Giang Forest Management Board, Region 1 said: "In the dry season, the heat lasts for a long time, in sub-zones 32 and 34, the water level is very low, the risk of fire is high. Based on the approved fire prevention and control plan, the station proactively builds 5 new dams to retain water, repairs and operates equipment and vehicles; organizes staff to be on duty at fire watchtowers on canals 12 and 27 in sub-zone 34; combines on-site loudspeaker announcements of fire levels and fire prevention and fighting measures so that people are informed and proactively prevent them."

According to the forecast of the meteorological and hydrological agency, March, April and May 2026 are the peak months of hot and dry weather, with a high risk of forest fires. From this point on, the Forest Protection Department of Region 6 and the forest owners have prepared fire prevention and fighting plans such as: Proactively reviewing and checking fire prevention and fighting equipment and means to promptly repair and maintain. Regularly checking water retention dams, promptly reinforcing and repairing when damaged, ensuring the ability to store water in the dry season. Strengthening and perfecting fire prevention and fighting teams, adding forces in areas with high risk of fire; continuing to propagate and raise awareness for people to actively cooperate with the forest rangers.

THUY TRANG

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