Nghe An pine forest continues to burn

Forest fire spread from Yen Thanh to Do Luong, thousands of people put out the fire

(Baonghean.vn) - At noon on June 21, a fire spread from a pine hill in Cong Thanh commune, Yen Thanh district to Do Luong district. Thousands of people were mobilized to put out the fire.

On the morning of June 22, the pine forest on Khe Nu mountain, Thuong Son commune, Do Luong district continued to burn. The fire spread due to strong sunlight and wind. The firefighting forces here actively raked dry leaves, chopped fresh leaves, created runways, and cordoned off a 7-8 km long firebreak. Because the fire was on a high mountain, from the foot of the mountain to the top, it was necessary to take a nearly 1 km detour, which was steep and slippery, making it very difficult to move personnel to fight the fire.

Strong sun and wind caused the fire to spread across the border area between Yen Thanh and Do Luong districts. Photo: Huy Thu

Previously, on the afternoon of June 21, the pine forest in the above area caught fire fiercely due to the fire spreading from the forest bordering Yen Thanh district. Do Luong district mobilized more than 1,000 people to participate in firefighting. By the night of June 21, the fire had flared up again. More than 500 officers and soldiers of Battalion 2, Regiment 1, Division 324 were present from early afternoon and coordinated with local officers and people to actively put out the fire on Khe Nu mountain. By 11 p.m., the fire had temporarily subsided, and the military force withdrew from the area.

Many pine and cajuput areas were burnt to a crisp. Photo: Huy Thu

On the morning of June 22, Mr. Nguyen Tat Hao, Chairman of the People's Committee of Thuong Son Commune, who was directing the fire fighting at the scene, said: The fire is developing complicatedly, spreading widely in the border area of ​​Cong Thanh - Yen Thanh Commune and Thuong Son - Do Luong Commune. From yesterday until now, the on-site fire fighting force has made great efforts. However, due to strong sunlight, strong wind, and large area, controlling the fire is extremely difficult, mainly to contain the fire.

Mr. Nguyen Trong Thuc, head of the Yen Thanh district forest rangers, said: Currently, the police and related agencies have stepped in to investigate the cause of the forest fire in Cong Thanh commune (Yen Thanh) spreading to Do Luong.

On the morning of June 22, the militia of Thuong Son commune, Do Luong was still putting out the fire. Photo: Huu Hoan

Photo: Huy Thu

As of 10am this morning, the fire was still raging in the border area between Yen Thanh and Do Luong districts. A large mountainous area was burned to the ground, with smoke and dust filling the air. Mr. Vo Si Lam, Head of the Do Luong District Forest Ranger Department, said: On the morning of June 22, the district mobilized a force of over 500 people including soldiers, forest rangers, and militia to put out 4-5 fire outbreaks. By noon, the forces continued to stay at the scene to watch the forest fire.