Nghe An province focuses on clearing undergrowth to minimize the risk of forest fires.

Nghe An province has the largest forest area in the country with 1.6 million hectares. The forest cover rate reaches 58.36%. Areas at high risk of forest fires include 27,353 hectares of planted forests with oil-bearing, easily flammable trees (including: 16,344 hectares of pure pine forest; 3,809 hectares of mixed pine forest; and 7,200 hectares of mixed eucalyptus forest). Currently, it is the season when pine trees shed their leaves, creating thick undergrowth and posing a high risk of forest fires. Photo: Quang An

According to observations by reporters in early May 2023, in many forests in Nghe An province, especially in the districts of Dien Chau, Nghi Loc, and Nam Dan, there are thick layers of undergrowth, particularly dry leaves and branches, with some areas having a thickness of 5-10 cm. A small spark could easily ignite a large fire. (Photo: Quang An)

To proactively prevent and control forest fires, since the beginning of the year, Nghe An province has planned to clear undergrowth and implemented it in localities and among forest owners. In addition, emphasis has been placed on repairing firebreaks and renovating fire watchtowers to ensure fire prevention is carried out safely. Photo: Van Truong

In Dien Chau district, nearly 6,000 hectares of pine forest are managed by communes and local communities, creating significant challenges in forest fire prevention and control. Most of the pine forest undergrowth remains untreated due to a lack of funding, and authorities are currently only addressing high-risk areas. (Photo: Quang An)

Yen Thanh District also shares the same concern about forest fires when the hot season arrives. In My Thanh commune, 78 hectares of pine forest have been leased to households for management. However, the undergrowth is hardly ever cleared thoroughly. In the photo: Authorities clearing firebreaks in Yen Thanh District. Photo: Van Truong

A representative from the Yen Thanh District Forest Management Unit added: The entire Yen Thanh district has over 2,000 hectares of forest, but only over 500 hectares managed by the Yen Thanh Protective Forest Management Board have had their undergrowth cleared. The remaining over 1,500 hectares, allocated to communes, local communities, and contracted households, have seen minimal undergrowth clearing. (Photo: Quang An)

In reality, forest fires that have occurred in the province over the past years have been primarily caused by the failure to thoroughly clear undergrowth, leading to rapid and difficult-to-control spread of fires. Therefore, clearing undergrowth before the hot season needs to be prioritized by local authorities to minimize damage when forest fires occur. (In the photo: Forest fire in Dien Chau district in 2020 was difficult to control due to dense undergrowth and rapid fire spread. Photo: Quang An)