Strengthen urgent measures to prevent and fight forest fires

Officers and soldiers of the 414th Engineering Brigade and vehicles worked all night to put out a forest fire in Khanh Son commune (Nam Dan) in recent days. Photo: Duy Dong

Recently, the hot weather in the province has caused a number of forest fires in localities such as Ky Son, Con Cuong, Nam Dan, Yen Thanh, Thanh Chuong, Hung Nguyen, Quynh Luu...; it is forecasted that in the coming time, the hot weather will continue to last, the risk of forest fires is always at level 5 (extremely dangerous level). In order to proactively take measures to control and prevent forest fires, strictly implement Official Dispatch No. 776/CD-TTg dated June 29, 2019 of the Prime Minister, 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:

1. Chairman of People's Committee 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 "4 on-site" motto in forest fire fighting; assign forces to be on duty 24/7 every day during the hot season at fire watchtowers, forest protection stations, and the Command Office. For key forests and forests at high risk of forest fires, arrange forces to block, patrol, and control people entering and leaving the forest, prevent acts of bringing fire into the forest; promptly detect fire spots, mobilize forces to participate in controlling and extinguishing forest fires in the shortest time, and prevent large fires from occurring.

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

- 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, ensuring the safety of people's lives and property and that of the State.

- When a forest fire occurs, follow the reporting regime as prescribed, and promptly arrive at the scene to directly mobilize forces and command firefighting forces; Take measures to ensure the safety of life and property for forces and people participating in forest firefighting.

- Direct the investigation of 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.

2. Department of Agriculture and Rural Development:

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 forest fire prevention and fighting work of localities and forest owners to suit the current hot weather situation.

3. Provincial Police:

- Direct the Fire Prevention and Fighting and Rescue Police Department to prepare plans for forces, vehicles, and materials to participate in forest fire fighting, and be ready to respond to forest fire emergencies when requested.

- Directing professional departments and local police to coordinate with local authorities and relevant agencies and units to effectively conduct scene investigation, investigation, evidence collection, and search for the perpetrators of forest fires, to strictly handle violators.

4. The Provincial Military Command shall report to Military Region 4 to facilitate the mobilization of forces, means, and logistics of units under Military Region 4 stationed in districts, cities, and towns to participate in forest fire fighting; direct units under its management stationed in districts, cities, and towns to prepare plans for forces, means, and materials for forest fire fighting, and be ready to respond to emergency situations related to forest fires when requested by the locality.

5. The Provincial Border Guard Command directs its subordinate Border Guard Stations stationed in districts, cities, and towns to prepare forces and means to fight forest fires, and coordinate with local authorities to be ready to respond to forest fire emergencies when requested.

6. The Department of Industry and Trade directs the Electricity sector to coordinate with local authorities and relevant forest owners to review forest areas at risk of fire affecting the national power grid, to find solutions to ensure safety and prevent incidents in the transmission system, providing electricity for production and people's lives.

7. The Department of Finance shall preside over and coordinate with relevant departments and branches to balance the provincial budget, advise the Provincial People's Committee to arrange and support units and localities to purchase additional equipment, means and materials for forest fire fighting in 2019.

8. Provincial Radio and Television Station and Nghe An Newspaper strengthen propaganda on forest fire prevention and fighting; promptly provide information on forest fire warnings and forecasts.

9. Members of the Steering Committee of the Sustainable Forestry Development Target Program of Nghe An province were established in Decision No. 770/QD-UBND dated March 15, 2019 of the Provincial People's Committee, according to the assigned functions and tasks of the area.

Requesting Directors of departments, heads of provincial-level departments and branches, members of the Steering Committee of the Target Program for Sustainable Forestry Development in Nghe An Province for the period 2016 - 2020, Chairmen of People's Committees of districts, cities and towns to seriously implement the content of the telegram and be responsible to the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee.

CHAIRMAN OF PROVINCIAL PEOPLE'S COMMITTEE

(signed)

Thai Thanh Quy