Nghe An: Forest fire warning 'extremely dangerous level'

(Baonghean.vn) - The forest fire has been basically extinguished in the Nam Dan and Thanh Chuong areas. However, the risk of forest fires during the hot season is still a warning.

Mr. Vo Trong Cuong, Head of Nam Dan Forest Ranger Department, said: Yesterday (June 13), in the Nam Loc hill area, a forest fire broke out both morning and afternoon, and it was not until 7 p.m. the same day that the forces were able to put it out.

Forest fires in Nam Loc and Nam Dan have been basically extinguished.

However, in this area, the dense vegetation, combined with the southwest wind, the risk of fires breaking out again is very high. Therefore, throughout the night of June 13 and the morning of June 14, the District People's Committee directed nearly 40 people from the Nam Dan Special-Use Forest Management Board and the Forest Protection Department, and the Nam Loc Commune militia and self-defense force to be on duty in the border areas affected by the fire, bringing 10 fire extinguishers and other tools to promptly extinguish the forest fire.

To promptly prevent and control forest fires, the People's Committee of Nam Dan district continues to send forces to guard forest fires at all fire spots in Nam Loc.

According to statistics, in Nam Dan district alone, more than 20 hectares of forest were burned, including 12 hectares of pine forest mixed with acacia and 8 hectares of pine forest.

Officers of Nam Dan Special Use Forest Management Board and Forest Ranger Department are still on duty in the forest to keep watch.

On June 13, 3 large and small fires occurred in Thanh Lam, Thanh Chi and Thanh Thuy communes in Thanh Chuong district. Thanh Chuong district mobilized over 200 people to participate in fire fighting. As of 6:00 a.m. on June 14, the 3 fires were basically completely extinguished. However, due to the thick pine forest cover and the season of slash-and-burn cultivation, the risk of fire can occur at any time. Therefore, the People's Committee of Thanh Chuong district continues to mobilize forces to guard forest fires at key locations.

In particular, in the face of the tense weather, on June 13, the Provincial Forest Protection and Development Plan Steering Committee issued Official Dispatch No. 429/TB-BCĐ on forest fire warning level 5 - extremely dangerous level to all Forest Ranger Stations and forest owners to raise awareness of forest fire prevention and control.

Level 5 forest fire warning of the Provincial Forestry Department, Forest Rangers and Forest Owners

Mr. Hoang Quoc Viet - Head of the Provincial Forest Protection Department added: According to hydrometeorological forecasts, the hot and dry weather will continue to develop complicatedly, with a high risk of forest fires. The Forest Protection Department advises on performing well the function of the standing agency of the Steering Committee on the provincial forest development and protection plan; directs forces to be on duty 24/24 hours; and always has mobile forces ready to coordinate with districts to respond to and fight fires. Strictly control the use of fire in forests and forest edges, ensuring smooth communication to respond to and handle forest fire situations.

The current difficulty is that many pine forest areas managed by localities have not been treated for their undergrowth, so the risk of fire is very high. In addition, the responsibility of some communes and forest owners in fire prevention and control is not high, and they still rely on forest rangers and other forces. Therefore, local authorities and forest rangers should focus on doing a good job of fire prevention and control, strictly implementing the 24/24 duty regime, and quickly handling situations that arise...

Van Truong