Urgent telegram on strengthening measures to prevent forest fires

The content of the telegram clearly stated: According to the forecast of the National Center for Hydrometeorology, the weather in the Central provinces continues to be hot, combined with the Southwest wind effect, the temperature will increase to 40°C, the humidity will drop, causing the ground cover and mulch under the forest canopy to dry out, especially pine forests, the risk of forest fires is at level V, extremely dangerous level. To cope with the complicated hot weather, forest fires have occurred in some localities causing damage to forests and directly affecting the natural environment, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee requested the Directors of Departments, Heads of provincial-level branches and sectors, Chairmen of People's Committees of districts, cities and towns; forest owners; relevant agencies and units to immediately carry out the following urgent tasks:

1. Continue to effectively implement Directive No. 13-CT/TW dated January 12, 2017 of the Secretariat on strengthening the Party's leadership in forest management, protection and development; Directive No. 05/CT-UBND dated March 15, 2018 of the Provincial People's Committee on strengthening urgent measures to prevent and fight forest fires. Directly perform forest fire prevention and fighting (PCCCR) well. When a forest fire occurs, it is necessary to quickly mobilize the maximum local force, directly command and control forest fire fighting in accordance with the 4 on-site motto, handle and extinguish the fire as soon as it is detected, and resolutely not let a large fire occur.

2. Assign the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to direct the strengthening of inspection, supervision, and review measures to immediately overcome shortcomings in the local and forest owners' fire prevention and control plans. In particular, pay attention to technical firefighting equipment, forest firefighting forces, logistics and firefighting command; pay attention to directing the construction of new and maintenance of fire prevention works such as firebreaks; management of pine resin exploitation; and forest protection contracting. In order to prevent and limit potential causes of intentional forest fires.

Authorities clear vegetation to prevent forest fires in Duc Thanh commune (Yen Thanh). Photo: Van Truong

3. Assign the People's Committees of districts, cities and towns to direct the Forest Protection Departments, forest owners and Commune People's Committees to focus highly on forest fire prevention and control work.

- Strictly implement the 24/7 forest fire warning information system at the fire watchtower, Forest Protection Station and the Office of the Steering Committee at all levels. Regularly assign staff to be on duty at communes and key forest areas to propagate and mobilize people to actively participate in forest fire prevention and control; grasp the forest situation at the grassroots level, prevent and respond to forest fire situations.

- During periods of extreme heat, limit the use of leave and allowances, reduce unnecessary meetings, focus human resources on fire prevention and control, and arrange enough forces to be on duty to handle forest fire situations, including holidays, Saturdays and Sundays.

- For contiguous pine forests, key forest areas associated with historical and cultural relics and scenic spots, it is necessary to apply forest protection measures, strictly manage pine resin exploiters, people entering and leaving the forest, and the use of fire by people in the forest and along the forest edge. Early detection of fire spots to respond to and extinguish forest fires when they are still small.

- After extinguishing the fires, it is necessary to direct the local forces to monitor the forest fires, extinguish all the embers, and prevent re-flare-ups. At the same time, the district leaders directly visit, encourage, and thank the forces that have increased support for forest fire fighting in the district. The district steering committee directs to quickly synthesize and report to the provincial steering committee on the development of the fire, no later than 2 hours after the end of the fire.

Forest fire in Khanh Son commune (Nam Dan). Photo archive

- For recent fires that caused great damage to forests, it is necessary to organize meetings to review the responsibilities of relevant agencies and units and draw lessons in mobilizing forces and commanding forest fire fighting.

4. The Provincial Police directs professional departments and local police to coordinate with local authorities and relevant agencies and units to effectively conduct crime scene investigation, investigation, evidence collection, search and denunciation of the perpetrators of the forest fire, and strictly handle violators.

5. The Provincial Radio and Television Station and Nghe An Newspaper increase the time for disseminating information on forest fire prevention and fighting activities; set good examples of good people and good deeds in forest fire prevention and fighting; coordinate with the Forest Protection Department to broadcast forest fire warnings on mass media so that all people can raise their vigilance and forest fire prevention and fighting.

Upon receiving this telegram, the Directors of Departments, Heads of provincial-level departments and branches, members of the Provincial Steering Committee on the Sustainable Forestry Development Target Program, Chairmen of People's Committees of districts, cities and towns and Heads of relevant agencies and units are required to seriously implement it. In any locality where a forest fire occurs and fails to promptly take measures to prevent it, causing great damage to the forest, the Chairman of the People's Committee, Heads of forest owners and Forest Protection Departments must bear full responsibility before the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee.