Son La preserves forests during the dry season.

Son La is currently experiencing hot and intensely hot weather, combined with low humidity, creating a high risk of forest fires. Many forests have been warned at dangerous and extremely dangerous fire risk levels. To combat these fires, authorities are actively implementing measures and conducting patrols and inspections to minimize the risk of forest fires at the grassroots level.

Officers from the Regional Forestry Department XIII and the Muong La Nature Reserve patrol the forest.

According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, the northern region in general, and Son La province in particular, will continue to experience prolonged heatwaves in the coming days, leading to a high risk of forest fires. To continue effectively implementing forest fire prevention and control measures, and to proactively carry out these tasks, on March 23, 2026, the Provincial People's Committee issued a document requesting the Department of Agriculture and Environment and the communes and wards in the province to focus on implementing forest fire prevention and control plans and assigning responsibilities to individuals, specialized departments, and local forest protection forces.

Strengthen patrols, inspections, surveillance, and early detection of high-risk forest fire hotspots during prolonged periods of dry and hot weather. Direct local forces to implement forest fire prevention and control measures; organize forest fire prevention and control command centers, and mobilize militia and community forest protection teams to participate. Implement a plan for close coordination between forest rangers and other forces and commune-level authorities in forest fire prevention and control. Promote the dissemination and education of laws on forest fire prevention and control; encourage people to sign commitments to protect forests and prevent and control forest fires; and actively participate in forest protection activities…

The Muong La Nature Reserve is entrusted with the management and protection of over 17,892 hectares, of which over 14,070 hectares are forested land, located in the three communes of Ngoc Chien, Muong La, and Chieng Lao. The reserve boasts a highly diverse ecosystem, home to several rare animals, such as the endemic black gibbon and the pheasant, both listed in the Red Book as endangered species, as well as several higher plants like agarwood, cypress, red pine, ginseng, and Gynostemma pentaphyllum. The entire area within the reserve is under strict protection regulations, prohibiting any acts of encroachment, exploitation of forest products, and hunting of wild animals.

Forestry officials from Region XIII and the Muong La Nature Reserve, along with residents of It village, Muong La commune, are clearing undergrowth.

Visiting the Forest Ranger Station Region XIII and Muong La Nature Reserve at this time is very quiet, as the officers have all gone down to the communes and villages to patrol with the local people and implement solutions to protect the forest during the peak of the dry season. Mr. Le Tuan Anh, Head of the Forest Ranger Station Region XIII and Muong La Nature Reserve, and Director of the Muong La Nature Reserve Management Board, said: "For nearly a week now, the weather has been hot and humid for an extended period, and the risk of forest fires is at a dangerous level. We have assigned forest protection teams to be on duty 24/7 for fire prevention; we are monitoring forest fire warning information on the Forest Department's early warning system to coordinate with local authorities, direct and be ready to mobilize forest firefighting forces if necessary."

Bản Ít, Mường La commune, is one of the communities that has done well in implementing forest protection contracts with the Mường La Nature Reserve Management Board. For many years, the more than 800 hectares of forest under the village's management have remained free from forest fires, illegal logging, and wildlife hunting. Mr. Lò Văn Oanh, head of the forest protection and fire prevention team in Bản Ít, Mường La commune, said: "Forest fires are very likely to occur at this time of year. We regularly inspect, clean up, create firebreaks, and guide villagers on proper burning practices; we proactively prevent forest encroachment, detect fires early, and promptly organize rescue forces to minimize damage caused by forest fires..."

Forest Ranger Station Region III, together with the people of Lua village, Muong E commune, cleared a firebreak.

The Forest Protection Unit of Region III is tasked with managing and protecting nearly 37,000 hectares of forest in six communes: Thuan Chau, Chieng La, Muong Khieng, Binh Thuan , Muong E, and Long He. The area under management is vast, with many villages having difficult access and complex terrain; the lives of the people in many areas are still difficult, mostly dependent on slash-and-burn farming; and the customs and practices of slash-and-burn agriculture pose a constant risk of forest fires.

Mr. Pham Van Hoa, Head of the Forest Protection Department Area III, informed: Currently, the peak of the dry season coincides with the time when people burn their fields for cultivation, which has greatly affected forest protection work, especially forest fire prevention and control. We have directed local forest rangers to closely monitor the situation on the ground, coordinate with forest owners to review all approved forest fire prevention and control plans to adjust them accordingly; concentrate manpower and promote the role of forest protection teams to clear firebreaks and remove materials under the forest canopy to minimize damage if a fire occurs. In addition, we are organizing the demarcation and identification of high-risk fire areas to effectively implement forest fire prevention and control with the motto "Prevention is key, firefighting must be timely."

Forestry officials from Region I, along with local residents, inspect the forest on the Son La hydroelectric reservoir in Quynh Nhai commune.

Following the reorganization of its structure, the Provincial Forest Protection Department has 17 regional forest protection units, managing 671,596 hectares of forest. Closely following the direction of the province and the Department of Agriculture and Environment, the Provincial Forest Protection Department has strengthened its patrol, inspection, and monitoring activities, provided professional advice on forest fire prevention and control, and guided forest owners and commune-level People's Committees in developing and updating forest fire prevention and control plans and forest management and protection. It has promoted digital transformation and the application of high-tech and modern technologies in forest management and protection, ensuring early detection of deforestation and forest fires for effective results. It has also strengthened forest fire forecasting and warning, and conducted information and communication campaigns to raise community awareness. Furthermore, it has proactively coordinated with the Police, the Army, and the Provincial Civil Defense - Disaster Prevention and Control and Search and Rescue Command in responding to and handling forest fire incidents.

Mr. Nguyen Huy Tuan, Head of the Provincial Forest Protection Department, said: The Department has directed the Forest Protection Stations to thoroughly prepare the necessary conditions regarding vehicles, materials, and equipment to be ready for any forest fire situation that may occur. They are coordinating with communes and wards to inspect and control areas with a high risk of fire, proactively deploying forces, materials, vehicles, and logistics on-site, ready to respond to urgent situations promptly at the grassroots level, preventing fires from spreading.

With the coordinated implementation of various measures, Son La is determined to preserve the greenness of its forests and minimize the number of forest fires during this year's hot season.

Source: https://baosonla.vn/xa-hoi/son-la-giu-rung-mua-kho-hanh-7t4XCw5vR.html