Nghe An issues urgent dispatch, requesting investigation and finding the culprit causing the forest fire

The telegram stated,intRecently, the weather in the province has been extremely hot and prolonged, with temperatures continuously maintained at 37 degrees Celsius.^oC - 39°C, some places over 42°C. Forest fires have occurred in some localities such as Thanh Chuong, Quynh Luu, Do Luong. Especially the forest fire that occurred on June 26, 2020 in Yen Thanh and Dien Chau districts.

Forest fire in Dien An commune, Dien Chau district. Photo: Quang An.

It is forecasted that in the coming time, the weather will continue to be hot and dry, the risk of forest fires is always at level V (extremely dangerous level). In order to proactively take measures to control and prevent forest fires, strictly handle those who commit forest fires, and at the same time effectively implement Official Dispatch No. 662/CD-TCLN-KL dated May 26, 2020 of the General Department of Forestry, and directives of the Provincial People's Committee on strengthening urgent measures to prevent and fight forest fires in the province, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee requests:

Chairmen of the People's Committees of districts, cities and towns: Direct the Forest Protection Departments, forest owners, local authorities at the commune level, and forest fire fighting teams at the grassroots level to review and re-examine forces, vehicles, and materials to effectively implement the "four on-site" motto in forest fire fighting; assign forces to be on duty 24/24 hours a day during the hot season at fire watchtowers, forest protection stations and the Office of the Forest Fire Prevention and Control Command. For key forests and forests at high risk of fire, it is necessary to set up checkpoints to control people entering and leaving the forest, arrange forces to block off and patrol to be ready to promptly prevent and handle forest fire risks, especially key forests such as: Mrs. Hoang Thi Loan's tomb, King Mai Hac De's tomb, Quyet mountain forest park, Cuong temple area...

Strengthen inspection, control and guidance on people's use of fire in forests and forest edges; stop all activities of treating vegetation by using fire and other activities that risk causing forest fires.

Authorities extinguish forest fire. Photo: Quang An

When a forest fire occurs, strictly implement the information and reporting regime according to regulations. The Chairman or Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of the district, city or town must be present at the scene to directly direct, mobilize forces, means, logistics and command fire fighting according to the approved plan; For forests near residential areas and warehouses, when a fire occurs, it is necessary to proactively have a plan to evacuate people from the dangerous area, and have measures to ensure the safety of life and property for forces and people when participating in forest fire fighting.

Direct the investigation into the cause and perpetrators of forest fires to strictly handle them according to the provisions of law and handle the management responsibility of the head when forest fires occur, do not respond promptly, causing great damage. Especially the fires that occurred in Dien Phu commune, Dien Loi commune, Dien Chau district and Son Thanh commune, Yen Thanh district on June 26 and 27, 2020.

Localities where forest fires have occurred should urgently organize experience sharing to overcome shortcomings and inadequacies in the implementation of forest fire fighting plans in localities, especially in mobilizing forces, logistics and commanding forest fire fighting to proactively cope with the upcoming hot weather.

Request the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to preside over and coordinate with provincial departments and branches to strengthen and inspect forest fire prevention and fighting work. Direct the inspection and review to immediately overcome shortcomings in the implementation of forest fire prevention and fighting plans of localities and forest owners to suit the current hot weather situation; Direct the implementation of good forecasting and early warning of fires to local authorities, forest owners and people to raise vigilance and proactively deploy appropriate measures to prevent and fight forest fires.

When a forest fire occurs, direct the Forest Ranger force to advise local authorities at all levels to mobilize forces, means, and tools, and at the same time guide forces and people to participate in forest fire fighting. Coordinate with relevant agencies to promptly investigate, clearly identify the cause and the cause of the fire and strictly handle violators according to the law, clarify the responsibilities of organizations and individuals when forest fires occur in the management area.

Request the Provincial Police to direct the Fire Prevention and Fighting and Rescue Police Department to prepare plans for forces, vehicles, and tools to participate in forest fire fighting, be ready to coordinate and respond to emergency situations related to forest fires when requested; Direct professional departments and district, city, and town police to coordinate with local authorities and relevant agencies and units to effectively investigate and track down the perpetrators of forest fires to strictly handle violators. In particular, the fires in Dien Phu commune, Dien Loi commune, Dien Chau district and Son Thanh commune, Yen Thanh district occurred on June 26 and 27, 2020.

The telegram also requested the Provincial Military Command, Provincial Border Guard Command, Department of Industry and Trade, Department of Finance, Provincial Radio and Television Station, Nghe An Newspaper... to implement forest fire prevention and fighting measures according to assigned functions and tasks.