Many areas in Vietnam are at a high fire alert level meaning that the risk of fire is in the danger zone. Satellite pictures have revealed that 136 fires, both large and small, are occurring in 7 provinces, resulting in the aid of fire helicopters as an urgent request from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
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| 246.1 ha of forest have been lost within only the first 5 days of March. (Photo: VFDJ) |
According to the report on emergency forest fire safety and prevention from the Central Steering Committee, as of March 5, the fires are occurring in the following areas: 30 in Son La, 20 in Lai Chau, 6 in Dien Bien, 6 in Thanh Hoa, 6 in Lao Cai, 6 in Yen Bai and 6 in Ha Giang Provinces.
Notably, a fire that had been going for 3 days at Ta Sua Nature Conservation Park (Phu Yen – Son La) had been extinguished but a new one has ignited in the same place. This area is covered by very difficult terrain and it takes 8 hours for army forces to reach it by foot.
At Lai Chau Province, many places were ruined by the fire, making it a threat to the Hoang Lien National Park. In Yen Bai province, many fires that went on for 2 days were just put out but fires didn’t stop occurring in the neighbouring areas.
According to preliminary reports, within the first 5 days of March, fire consumed 246.1 hectares of forest in 13 provinces from the northwestern region to the central region.
In an urgent meeting on March 5, the Deputy Prime Minister, Mr. Hoang Trung Hai, requested that the Search and Rescue National Committee immediately inspect the site and provide guidelines on fire safety and prevention for the locals.
According to the Deputy Prime Minister, local authorities must keep watch on the forest and be able to mobilise both army and civilian forces when needed, especially with sudden changes of weather. Areas where fires are still occurring or are at a warning level need for authorities to use all means possible to prevent those fires from spreading to other areas. Lookouts must be placed 24/7 in areas that are in high risk of fire. At the same time, awareness should be raised among ethnic people to be careful as this is a period when land is being burnt for cultivation.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development’s representative said that fires are still burning around the Ta Sua Nature Conservation Park, adjacent with Son La and Yen Bai Province. The fires spread quickly and by the time the army is able to reach the area, the fires have already spread and there is little that can be done.
The ministry has requested the use of fire helicopters to inspect the site, provide food and drinks for fire fighters, organise prevention methods, and send more soldiers to assist in the fire-affected areas between Son La and Yen Bai Province.
The prolonged hot weather has ceased on March 8 and there has been rain and a significant drop in temperatures.
