Nghe An continues to warn of extremely dangerous forest fires

Pine forest fire in Dien Chau in 2021. Photo: Van Truong

According to the forecast of the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, the weather in Nghe An province from now until July 1, 2022, the heat wave will continue, with some places experiencing severe heat with high temperatures, especially in the delta districts, with common temperatures ranging from 35-36 degrees Celsius.

Faced with that situation, the Steering Committee for urgent issues on forest protection and development, forest fire prevention and fighting in Nghe An province in 2022forest fire warningin forest areas of Nghe An province from June 23, 2022 to July 1, 2022: From level IV - dangerous level to level V - extremely dangerous level.

Accordingly, the Steering Committee for urgent issues on forest protection and development, forest fire prevention and fighting in Nghe An province requested the People's Committees of districts, cities and towns; forest rangers, and forest owners to focus on and direct the work of forest fire prevention and fighting:

1. Strictly implement the provisions of Decree No. 156/2018/ND-CP dated November 16, 2018; Official Dispatch No. 905/CD-TTg dated July 1, 2021 of the Prime Minister on strengthening urgent measures to prevent and fight forest fires; Official Dispatch No. 3249/CD-BNN-TCLN dated June 1, 2021 of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on strengthening urgent measures to prevent and fight forest fires; Official Dispatch No. 243/KL-QLR dated June 10, 2022 of the Forest Protection Department on strengthening forest fire prevention and fighting; Directive No. 07/CT-UBND dated March 21, 2022 of the People's Committee of Nghe An province on strengthening measures to prevent and fight forest fires in Nghe An province in 2022.

2. Implement well the work of warning forest fires at fire watchtowers in the province, monitor the forest fire warning information system of the Forest Protection Department. Do well the work of warning, forecasting forest fires early to local authorities, forest owners and people to raise vigilance, proactively deploy appropriate measures to prevent and fight forest fires.

3. Proactively organize the signing of force and means contracts with military units and armed forces stationed in the area to unify the mechanism for mobilizing forces to fight forest fires in the event of large forest fires.

4. Concentrate forces to strengthen forest patrols, inspections, and forest fire prevention and fighting. Organize and set up checkpoints at forest gates to check people entering and leaving the forest in order to promptly propagate and mobilize people not to use fire in the forest, causing the fire to spread into the forest.

5. Do not allow burning of fields, plantations, and vegetation to prepare land for afforestation and reduce combustible materials in forests in the area on days when there is a risk of forest fires at level IV and level V.

Workers of Yen Thanh Protective Forest Management Board process the undergrowth under the pine forest canopy in Xuan Thanh commune. Photo: Van Truong

6. When a forest fire occurs, 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, vehicles, 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 dangerous areas, and take measures to ensure the safety of people's lives and property and the forces participating.forest fire fighting.

7. Direct, guide and inspect the implementation of forest fire prevention and fighting contents by forest owners and local authorities according to the established forest fire prevention and fighting plan for 2022.

8. After extinguishing the fire, local authorities are requested to direct relevant agencies to urgently investigate, determine the cause and the person who caused the fire, and strictly handle violators according to regulations.