Tighten forest fire prevention measures.

U Minh Thuong National Park has a diverse melaleuca forest ecosystem, which is prone to wildfires during the dry season. Given this situation, since the beginning of the year, U Minh Thuong National Park has tightened its forest fire prevention and control efforts, deploying personnel at critical points, determined to preserve the greenness of the forest.

The forest fire prevention and fighting team of U Minh Thuong National Park on patrol. Photo: BAO KHANH

U Minh Thuong National Park has a natural area of ​​over 8,500 hectares, including more than 5,800 hectares of melaleuca forest. To proactively prevent and control forest fires, from the beginning of the 2025-2026 dry season until now, the unit has implemented many comprehensive solutions such as: Actively maintaining water levels to keep the forest moist throughout the dry season; deploying forces for regular patrols, monitoring, and 24/7 readiness; clearing dry vegetation in the embankment area; and preparing sufficient fire-fighting equipment and facilities. Mr. Hoang Van Tuan - Director of U Minh Thuong National Park said: “In the 2026 dry season, the risk of forest fires in U Minh Thuong National Park is high due to prolonged hot weather and the unique characteristics of melaleuca forests on peat soil, which are easily flammable. From the end of October 2025, the unit closed the regulating sluices to maintain appropriate water levels throughout the dry season, ensuring forest ground moisture and limiting the risk of fire.”

Recognizing that public awareness campaigns and mobilization of people to participate in forest management, protection, and fire prevention and control are crucial tasks, U Minh Thuong National Park, in coordination with relevant agencies and local authorities, has organized campaigns to encourage people to commit to implementing regulations on forest management, protection, and fire prevention and control during the dry season. “Living in the U Minh Thuong buffer zone, I am aware of my responsibility in forest management and protection. I and the people in the area agree and cooperate with the relevant agencies, local authorities, and the National Park in protecting and preventing forest fires during the dry season,” shared Mr. Ly Van Kieu, a resident of U Minh Thuong commune.

In addition to public awareness campaigns, U Minh Thuong National Park is implementing a comprehensive forest fire prevention and control plan. The park has constructed 16 forest fire watchtowers, including 10 sturdy concrete towers and 6 iron towers. These watchtowers are located at forest protection teams along the dike system and in the central core area of ​​the National Park; the average distance between watchtowers is 4km. With the current conditions of the National Park, forest fires can be detected visually and with binoculars in most of the park's high-altitude areas. However, to improve the effectiveness of the watchtower system, fire prevention and control teams have established supplementary watchtowers to allow for timely observation of fires.

In the event of a forest fire, timely detection and accurate identification of the fire's location are crucial for forest fire prevention and control. Recognizing this importance, since the beginning of the dry season, U Minh Thuong National Park has established five forest fire prevention and control teams, each consisting of 12-15 people; maintaining a standby force at four forest protection teams and six teams surrounding the core area, each with two people. The teams regularly patrol and monitor to promptly detect and handle violations of forest management, protection, and fire prevention and control regulations. “During the peak of the dry season, we concentrate our forces on 24/7 duty; organize regular forest patrols and inspections, especially in high-risk fire areas; maintain strict vigilance at forest fire observation towers; regularly inspect and operate equipment, and are ready to respond promptly when a fire occurs,” shared Mr. Tran Cong Hao, Team Leader of the Cay Gon Forest Fire Prevention and Control Team.

Along with strengthening forest patrols, in the coming period, U Minh Thuong National Park will continue to intensify patrols and inspections of the forest's water reserves; proactively allocate human resources to ensure the "four on-the-spot" plan; and regularly inspect equipment and vehicles serving forest fire prevention and control. In addition, it will strengthen coordination with relevant units and localities to promote awareness and improve the understanding of forest protection among residents and tourists. The unit will regularly inform relevant forces and localities about the developments of the dry season to ensure timely response to any situations that may arise.

BAO KHANH

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/siet-chat-phong-chay-rung-a478736.html