Nghe An: Lurking risk of forest fires
(Baonghean.vn) - In 2018, Nghe An had 21 fires, causing damage to 80.33 hectares of forest. It is worth mentioning that many fires were caused by burning vegetation that spread the fire or by people carelessly setting fire to the forest. Forest fire prevention work before the hot season of 2019 still has many shortcomings, the risk of forest fires is always present.
 |
The pine forest fire watchtower in Xuan Thanh commune, Yen Thanh district was severely damaged. Photo: Van Truong |
Nghe An has a forest area of 956,703 hectares (natural forest 783,699.87 hectares; planted forest 173,055.36 hectares), of which the area at high risk of forest fires is concentrated in 15,476 hectares of pine plantations, 720 hectares of mixed eucalyptus forests (a tree species with essential oils, flammable). Before this year's hot season, there were still many shortcomings in forest fire prevention and control (PCCR).
 |
Firebreak system is difficult to be effective in Do Luong district. Photo: Hai An. |
Specifically, the whole province annually clears the undergrowth of only 5,000 hectares of pine forests out of a total of 16,000 hectares, reaching a rate of 31%; the rest do not have funds to clear, and the risk of forest fires is always threatening.
The firebreak system is too small compared to actual requirements and was built years ago. It is now covered with vegetation. The size of the firebreak is small and not enough to separate the fire.
In 2017, the Provincial People's Committee agreed to survey and build a white fire-blocking road in the border area between Nam Dan district, Thanh Chuong district and Huong Son district, Ha Tinh province, but to date, it has not been implemented to serve fire prevention and control work.
Forest fire prevention plans at the commune level are still sketchy and not close to reality; investment funds for forest fire prevention and control at the commune level have not received much attention, leading to limited effectiveness of forest fire prevention and control.
The implementation of the “4 on-site” plan in forest fire fighting in some communes is not good, the assessment is not accurate, the mobilization of fire fighting forces is slow, and there is a lack of urgency. Activities in forest protection groups and teams in many places are still formalistic, due to the lack of appropriate remuneration, so the effectiveness of the activities is not high.
Funding for fire prevention and fighting is still limited, so tools and equipment for on-site forces are lacking and most of them are rudimentary tools such as hoes, shovels, and small water pumps, which are not very effective in fire fighting.
 |
One of the forest fires in My Thanh, Yen Thanh area, militia forces from communes came to the rescue and put out the fire with bare hands. Photo: Hai An. |
Some forest owners and individuals still lack the necessary investment in forest fire prevention and control. The Party Committees of some localities at the commune level have not really taken drastic action to direct the implementation of forest fire prevention and control tasks, considering it the task of forest owners, Forest Protection Departments and military forces.
Some previous fires ended but the local authorities held meetings to review experiences and review the responsibilities of individuals and groups involved in a "formal" and perfunctory manner.
 |
Key fire areas in Nghe An: Graphics: Lam Tung |
Comrade Dinh Viet Hong - Vice Chairman of Nghe An Provincial People's Committee said: Fire prevention and control work is still not firmly ensured, the potential risk of large fires is still very high, especially in pine forest areas of Nam Dan, Hung Nguyen, Do Luong, Yen Thanh districts... The investigation of the perpetrators of forest fires is not drastic and effective, so the subjects who set fire to the forest have not been handled or deterred. Some forest owners are assigned forestry land by the state for management, but the forest protection work is not good, the risk of encroachment due to deforestation, forest burning, and forest loss is still high.
Currently, the Provincial People's Committee has linked the responsibility of the head of the local government with the task of forest fire prevention and control. The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has assigned the Forest Protection Department to coordinate and continue to strengthen patrolling and inspection of key areas with high risk of forest fires to respond promptly and minimize the risk of forest fires.
Strengthening coordination to minimize forest fires in 2019
(Baonghean.vn) - In 2018, Nghe An experienced 21 forest fires, causing damage to 80.33 hectares of forest. The forest fires in 2018 were mainly caused by intentional forest burning and some fires were caused by burning vegetation, causing the fire to spread into the forest. That was the information presented at the 2018 forestry work summary conference on the afternoon of March 19.
Local youth actively build firebreaks to prevent forest fires
(Baonghean.vn) - Faced with forest fires breaking out in many places, young people in some localities have stepped up propaganda work and organized the construction of firebreaks to prevent forest fires.
-6c936385358262921c0884226b06c05a.jpg "Nghệ An: Thông tin nổi bật ngày 6/8")
.jpeg "Kiểm soát chặt người ra vào, tăng cường phòng, chống cháy rừng khu vực núi Quyết")
.jpeg "Nam Đàn tăng cường phòng chống cháy rừng tại các điểm di tích lịch sử")
