Forests in Khanh Hoa Province are at high risk of wildfire during the recent hot, dry weather. Therefore, forest protection stations have been set up, maintaining 24-hour patrols to protect forest resourses as well as prevent wildfire...
Forests in Khanh Hoa Province are at high risk of wildfire during the recent hot, dry weather. Therefore, forest protection stations have been set up, maintaining 24-hour patrols to protect forest resourses as well as prevent wildfire.
High risk
In the peak dry season, thousands of hectares of natural and protective forests in Da Bi – Da Rao are at high risk of fire. Therefore, in early March, the Forest Protection Station moved from Thac Hom to Da Bi, a forest fire vulnerability zone, to protect forests from wildfire and illegal logging as well.
In last dry season, the protective forest caught fire, causing massive damage in Da Rao- Da Bi region. Therefore, wildfire prevention and control patrols are conducted every day, especially in high risk zones, especially young forests, says Nguyen Thanh Xuan, Head of Da Bi Forest Protection Station under Khanh Hoa Forestry Company.
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“The high peak dry season in Khanh Vinh District often lasts from March to August. This year, the weather is forecasted to be severe. Our task to prevent illegal logging and wildfire in Thac Bau and Hon Nhon, which are at high risk of fire as they are adjacent to local residents’ farms. Together with forest management and protection crew of Khanh Hoa Forestry Company, we are in charge of launching propaganda to raise pubic awareness of forest fire risk and prevent illegal logging as well,” reports Pi Nang Sam, Head of Song Mau Forest Protection Station.
Fire prevention measures taken
According to the leader of Khanh Hoa Forestry Company, during the peak dry season months, the company has focused on more than 3,000ha of high-risk forest, mainly in Khanh Thuong, Khanh Phu and Khanh Le - Lam Dong pass road. Besides taking fire prevention measures such as clearing vegetation to construct and maintain firebreaks; and preparing fire prevention equipment as planned, the company has focused on maintaining 24/24 hour patrols even on national holidays to minimize forest fire risks.
These days, State forest owners such as Hon Ba Natural Reserve, Tram Huong Forestry Company, protective forest management boards of Northern Khanh Hoa, Cam Lam and Khanh Son are also taking measures to reduce fire risks in 62,900ha of forests.
“2,586ha of forests under our management is at high risk of fire, focusing on fire prevention and control measures, building more than 17km of firebreak, making sure on-site resources to discover any risks and take immediate actions. 37 forest protection stations and 5 forest fire response barracks have been set up, focusing on high risk zones and boundaries. Dozens of additional patrol and fire crew under contract have been employed,” says Nguyen Van Luc, Head of The Forest Technique and Protection Office, Tram Huong Forestry Company.
Nguyen Phuoc Bao Canh, Vice-Director of Cam Lam Protective Forest Management Board says, “More than 1,000ha of forests under our management are at high risk of fire. Forest protection stations have been set up; maintaining regular patrols to monitor forest fire warnings to discover any risks and make sure fire is not carelessly ignited by the practice of slash and burn to take immediate actions.”
This year, the forests are at high risk of fire, so forest owners are required to focus on fire prevention and control; clear vegetation and fire-prone materials to build firebreaks; continue propaganda to raise public awareness of forest protection, precaution against fire when burning near forests, etc. Moreover, more fires protection stations and fire response and patrol crew are needed to timely discover and deal with forest fire risks, according to Tran Minh Thu, Vice-head of the Forestry Department.
Hai Lang
Translated by N.T
