Upper-hand prevention of forest fires maintained in dry season

The weather is currently in a dry season, posing tremendous risks of forest fires. In response to this situation, the authorities of the province, localities, and residents have proactively implemented various forest fire prevention and control measures.

Functional forces inspect forest fire prevention work at Binh Duong Agricultural Forestry Joint Stock Company

Safety ensured

The Forest Protection Department has issued a directive instructing the Dau Tieng and Tan Uyen - Phu Giao Forest Ranger Sub-departments to enhance forest protection and fire prevention measures in 2024. Accordingly, the Provincial Forest Protection Department has just coordinated with relevant agencies to inspect fire prevention of 2 forest owners: Forest management board of Cau Mount in Dau Tieng conservation under Binh Duong Agriculture and Forestry Joint Stock Company and four forest management units, namely Dau Tieng Forest Ranger Authority, Tan Uyen-Phu Giao Forest Ranger Authority, Bau Bang Forest Test Cultivation Station, and Tan Phu Forest Test Cultivation Station.

Mrs. Nguyen Phuong Dung, Deputy Director of the provincial Forest Control, said that through inspection work, all units have effectively implemented the 4 on-site principles. The on-duty forces are assigned and deployed at checkpoints and critical areas prone to fire; firefighting equipment and tools are placed in a ready position. Forest owners have all organized the implementation of regulations, rules, safety conditions, and forest fire prevention measures as prescribed.

Furthermore, the units also have plans to report any changes related to ensuring forest fire safety within the management scope to the forestry inspection agency, fire department, and search and rescue and direct management agencies. Forest owners collaborate with local authorities, agencies, and organizations to ensure safety in forest fire prevention; do not pose a danger to adjacent forests, agencies, organizations, and households; are ready to carry out forest fire prevention activities when requested by the competent authority.

The enhanced precautions

However, forest fire prevention still faces various difficulties and limitations. Forest areas are scattered across a wide area, and the specialized forest protection and forest management forces of forest owners are limited. In some areas, regular patrols are still restricted.

Mrs. Nguyen Phuong Dung added that, after checking the fire safety conditions and forest fire prevention responsibilities of forest owners, the inspection team proposed that forest owners continue to implement and carry out the forest fire prevention plan; at the same time, supplement and adjust the plan for contents with changes, when there are major changes, construction and approval must be carried out again. Furthermore, the units need to closely coordinate with the People's Committee of communes, wards, and forest ranger agencies to regularly patrol, inspect, urge, and remind organizations, households, and individuals receiving funding to seriously implement forest fire prevention and control work and strictly handle individuals and organizations lacking a sense of responsibility.

In addition, units need to regularly inspect and closely monitor the forest fire prevention teams of the unit, organization, individual entrusted with forest management and protection; ensure full and 24/7  duty at key positions, tightly control of people entering and leaving the forest; at the same time, continue to coordinate with local authorities to disseminate information on measures to ensure safe fire use in production and daily life for people living in and around the forest.

The provincial Forest Protection Department requires forest management units to regularly maintain and upkeep fire-fighting vehicles, equipment to ensure readiness to extinguish fires when incidents occur, supplement signs, fire prohibition signs, and firefighting tools. For areas with tourists, authorities need to regularly remind, propagate, and guide the effective implementation of forest protection and fire prevention work, especially during festivals.

Reported by Thoai Phuong – Translated by Vi Bao