The story of soldiers battling raging fires to save the forest.

(Baonghean) - Despite the scorching heat and raging fires, officers and soldiers from military units stationed in the districts bravely confronted the fierce flames to save the forests, striving to preserve the greenery of their homeland. We witnessed these scenes during recent forest fires in the province.

“Clang clang… clang clang!” The alarm bell at the 414th Engineering Brigade (Military Region 4) rang out incessantly in the sweltering midday heat of summer. Within minutes, nearly 200 officers and soldiers of the Brigade were present at the unit's stadium, carrying various firefighting equipment. After quickly gathering information, Lieutenant Colonel Mai Văn Thanh, Deputy Commander of the Brigade, briefed them on their mission: “Currently, a fire has just broken out in the protected forest area of ​​Thanh Khai commune (Thanh Chương district) and is spreading to the forest area of ​​Nam Thái commune (Nam Đàn district, Nghệ An province). Immediately, you must move to the fire area to help the people save the forest.” As soon as the order was given, the officers and soldiers quickly mobilized to carry out their mission.

Officers and soldiers of the Hung Nguyen District Military Command, along with local residents, are fighting a forest fire. Image:TC

Upon arriving at the scene of the fire, without hesitation, the officers and soldiers immediately trekked through the forest, climbed hills, and traversed steep slopes to reach the blaze. The distance wasn't far, but the steep slope and thick undergrowth, mainly dry pine needles, made approaching the fire extremely difficult. Nevertheless, the soldiers moved swiftly forward. Upon reaching and confronting the raging fire, the officers and soldiers used fire beaters, tinder, blowers, and fresh branches to combat the fierce flames. Following them were numerous local officials and residents, armed with water, hoes, rakes, and knives, joining the effort to prevent the fire from spreading. The intense heat, thick undergrowth, and strong winds fueled the blaze. Everyone then switched to clearing the area to create a firebreak nearly 1.5 km long, containing and controlling the fire to prevent it from spreading to other areas. The military and civilians united in their determination to stop and extinguish the fire. After nine hours of fighting, by 8 PM, the fire was basically under control.

Just as they were withdrawing, the Brigade received news of a wildfire breaking out in the protected forest area of ​​Nam Thuong commune (Nam Dan district, Nghe An province), spreading towards the forest in Van Dien commune. Aware of the danger posed by the fire, and forgetting their fatigue, the officers and soldiers immediately set off. Along with other forces, the officers and soldiers of Brigade 414 stayed up all night battling the blaze. By 11:30 a.m. the following day, the fire was completely extinguished. By then, everyone was exhausted, their faces blackened by sweat and ash. While happy about the victory over the raging fire, soldier Nguyen Thanh Tung, Company 8, Battalion 27, also saddened by the loss of a large area of ​​forest, said: “Our unit is stationed in an area surrounded by protected forest, so we regularly practice forest fire prevention and control plans. It's just a pity that today, the fire broke out in rugged terrain, and the wind was too strong, causing the flames to spread and damage a lot of the local people's forest…”

Officers and soldiers of the 414th Engineering Brigade, along with other forces, brought the fire under control. Photo: Duc Cuong

During the hot season, forests in Nghe An province are constantly engulfed in flames: In June 2015 alone, 12 forest fires occurred, damaging 13.8 hectares of forest in Nam Dan, Hung Nguyen, Thanh Chuong, Yen Thanh, and Nghi Loc districts; and in the first few days of July 2015, forests in Yen Thanh, Hung Nguyen, Tuong Duong, and Thanh Chuong districts continued to burn… When the “fire enemy” rages, officers and soldiers from armed forces units stationed in the province are always the vanguard in fighting the flames. In the pine forest fire at Dong Tu Va, located in Tan Long and Ngoc Son hamlets, Cong Thanh commune (Yen Thanh district), the Military Command, the Mobile Militia Platoon, and militia from 6 communes, along with 63 soldiers from Regiment 324 - Military Region IV, were the pioneers in saving the forest. Similarly, in the forest fire fighting operation on Dong Chay mountain, Phuc Dien hamlet, Hung Tay commune, Hung Nguyen district, the officers and soldiers of the District Military Command played a leading role.

Major Tran Hoang Nhat, Deputy Commander of the District Military Command, said: A fire suddenly broke out in a pine forest on the summit of Ong Thu Dam, Dong Chay Mountain, Hung Tay Commune, Hung Nguyen District, at 11:30 AM on July 2nd. Upon discovering the forest fire, local residents promptly reported it to the authorities. The District Military Command dispatched 25 officers and soldiers from the unit, along with many militia members, to participate in firefighting. Extinguishing the fire was extremely difficult as it was located on a mountaintop with thick vegetation, coupled with strong southwest winds, while the force was small and firefighting equipment was rudimentary. Despite their best efforts and the inherent dangers, the fire was basically brought under control by 4:15 PM. However, just as the officers and soldiers returned to their unit and before they could rest, the fire flared up again at 5 PM. They immediately returned to contain the fire, and it was finally completely extinguished at 7 PM. However, to prevent the fire from reigniting, the district military command assigned officers, soldiers, and local militia forces to stand guard until the following morning.

Also on July 2nd, a forest fire occurred in Yen Hoa commune, Tuong Duong district. Officers and soldiers from the District Military Command were the core force in extinguishing the fire and saving the forest. Lieutenant Colonel Ho Viet Tan, Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff of the Tuong Duong District Military Command, said: The fire occurred in a regenerated forest area, located at an altitude of 1,500m, and was discovered at 6:00 AM. Upon receiving the report, the District Military Command mobilized 50 officers and soldiers to fight the fire for a full day to extinguish it, but still lost 2.3 hectares of forest. Now, in the hot season – the season for slash-and-burn farming – fires can break out at any time, so officers and soldiers are always on duty 24/7 to be ready for duty. However, it is requested that Party committees and authorities at all levels implement measures to manage and disseminate solutions to limit the practice of slash-and-burn farming that causes forest fires…

To protect the green of the forest – the lungs of our homeland – the soldiers have, are, and will continue to fight against raging fires without hesitation, overcoming difficulties, hardships, and dangers. Their spirit and contributions are always recognized by the government and the people. Mr. Ho Sy Dai, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Nam Dan district, shared: “As a locality with a large area of ​​protective forest, mainly pine and melaleuca trees, forest fires are very likely to occur during the dry season. In recent years, no matter the time, whenever a forest fire occurs, the officers and soldiers of the military units have always been present in a timely manner, joining forces with the local authorities to effectively extinguish the fire. We are very grateful for the actions of the military officers and soldiers who have not shied away from difficulties, hardships, and even danger to help the people save the forest…”

Duc Cuong - Thanh Chung