Take decisive action to prevent and control forest fires.

Amid widespread heatwaves in recent days, many forests across the country are at very high risk of fire, as all three elements of the "fire triangle" converge: temperatures of 35 to 40 degrees Celsius, humidity below 50%, and winds of force 3-5.

Protecting forests during hot weather conditions.

Amid widespread heatwaves in recent days, many forests across the country are at very high risk of fire, as all three elements of the "fire triangle" converge: temperatures of 35-40 degrees Celsius, humidity below 50%, and winds of force 3-5. Authorities, along with local Party committees, governments, and residents, are proactively implementing measures to prevent and control forest fires.

According to a warning from the Department of Forestry and Forest Protection, on May 12th, 1,355 communes and wards nationwide were at forest fire warning level V (extremely dangerous); and 294 communes and wards were at forest fire warning level IV (dangerous).

Guarding the forest day and night.

The forest protection team in the Duy Xuyen-Hoi An-Dien Ban area ( thuộc Station No. 3, Da Nang Protective Forest Management Board) is responsible for eight communes and wards: Duy Nghia, Duy Xuyen, Nam Phuoc, Thu Bon, Dien Ban Tay, Dien Ban Bac, Hoi An, and Hoi An Dong, covering a total area of ​​over 8,500 hectares. Many of these areas are adjacent to people's agricultural land, making them highly susceptible to wildfires.

According to Mr. Tu Ngoc Tan, Head of the Forest Protection Team in the Duy Xuyen-Hoi An-Dien Ban area, the team proactively identifies areas at high risk of fire to increase patrols and control, while also working with households with production forests to guide them on safe and technically correct clearing and burning of undergrowth to prevent fire spread. In addition, they strictly control daily entry and exit from the forest, especially those entering to burn beehives for honey or harvest acacia trees.

According to Nguyen Chi Cong, Vice Chairman of the Duy Xuyen Commune People's Committee, from the beginning of the year, the locality proactively coordinated with forest owners and local forest rangers to finalize forest fire prevention and control plans. A hotline was established between the locality, forest rangers, and forest protection teams to receive information related to forestry.

According to Quach Huu Son, Deputy Head of the Da Nang Forest Protection Department, the local force has been strengthened with 428 community forest protection teams comprising 3,734 members, playing a core role in patrolling, detecting, and promptly addressing fire risks. In the coming period, the unit will continue to strengthen local forces, tighten commitments with people living near forests, limit the use of fire in clearing undergrowth, and enhance monitoring of the implementation of forest fire prevention and control technical procedures in key areas. Simultaneously, inter-agency coordination between the police, military , forest rangers, and local authorities will be maintained in investigating and strictly handling violations, thereby raising awareness of forest protection.

In Nguyen Phich commune ( Ca Mau province), where the entire 2,800 hectares of forest are at fire alert level V, every forest area is strictly monitored. From a fire watchtower nearly 20 meters high, Mr. Huynh Van Huot (a resident with forest land in Hamlet 29, Nguyen Phich commune) recounted: “Every day, I and the people in the hamlet take turns going up to the watchtower from morning to evening. During the dry season, we limit going far, and if there is an emergency, we report it so that we can mobilize immediately to put out the fire when needed.”

Not only Mr. Huot, but thousands of households in the U Minh Ha forest area have voluntarily participated and signed commitments to protect the forest. For them, preserving the forest is about protecting their own livelihoods. Mr. Pham Van Ngot, who owns nearly 100 hectares of forest land in Da Bac commune (Ca Mau province), said: "My family considers preserving the forest as preserving our livelihood, preserving the clean air and the source of life that has existed for generations."

From the very beginning of the 2025-2026 dry season, a large force and a comprehensive system of forest fire prevention and control equipment have been mobilized. Throughout the U Minh Ha forest area and the Bac Lieu Bird Sanctuary, 89 sluices and dams have been closed to regulate water levels and maintain moisture at the base of the forest. The entire area maintains 74 fire watch towers. In addition, there are 129 specialized pumps, over 61,000 meters of fire hoses, and more than 100 mobile transport vehicles operating on the canals. The core force comprises 75 teams with over 500 members who have received thorough training and are ready to respond.

Prepare fire extinguishing plans.

According to the Da Nang Protective Forest Management Board, the city has over 745,000 hectares of forest, including more than 503,000 hectares of natural forest. Since the beginning of the year, two forest fires have occurred within the management area of ​​the board, burning an area of ​​3.32 hectares; specifically, in Thang An commune with an area of ​​1.54 hectares and in Thang Truong commune with an area of ​​1.78 hectares.

According to Nguyen Huu Phuoc, Deputy Director of the Da Nang Protective Forest Management Board, the forest fire season in the area usually lasts from March to August, peaking from May to August. During this time, the unit deploys leadership and command staff to monitor and supervise the area, maintaining over 80% of its personnel on duty to promptly assess and report the situation. The unit has established 13 forest fire prevention and control teams in various areas, with specialized forces as the core, combined with community patrol teams. The unit requires subordinate forest management and protection stations to clearly identify each dangerous area and each point with a high risk of fire in order to deploy appropriate forces and equipment.

According to Tran Ut, Deputy Director of the Da Nang City Department of Agriculture and Environment, the department requires forest management boards to effectively implement forest protection plans, deploy personnel to key areas, strengthen patrols, detect and handle forest fires early; promote public awareness campaigns, sign commitments with people, and strictly manage the use of fire. The emergency response is maintained 24/7 according to the "4 on-site, 5 ready" principle, ensuring proactive deployment of personnel, equipment, logistics, command, and communication in all situations when forest fires occur.

At U Minh Ha National Park, which has over 8,500 hectares of strictly protected forest, Mr. Tran Cong Hoang, the park director, said that 13 checkpoints have been established and 13 pumping units have been mobilized in high-risk areas. The principle is to deploy personnel and equipment to be on standby 24/7 to proactively and quickly handle any potential fire incidents.

According to To Hoai Phuong, Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Ca Mau province, in preparation for the 2026 dry season, forest management units are implementing a comprehensive range of fire prevention and control measures, from reinforcing drainage and dam systems to inspecting, repairing, and purchasing machinery, strengthening on-site forces, and conducting fire fighting drills. The overarching goal is to effectively manage existing areas, detect and promptly address fires to minimize damage to people and resources.

Forest fires not only cause serious damage to the natural environment, socio-economic conditions, and human lives, but also leave long-lasting and difficult-to-remedy consequences such as: soil erosion, reduced water retention capacity, increased risk of flash floods and landslides; negative impacts on climate change, air pollution due to the release of large amounts of _CO2 ... Therefore, during the current hot season, functional forces and localities need to mobilize sufficient personnel, equipment, and materials, especially the participation of the people, to proactively implement forest fire prevention and control plans, minimizing the number of fires that occur.

VIET TUNG QUAN

Source: https://nhandan.vn/quyet-liet-phong-chong-chay-rung-post965157.html