U Minh Thuong National Park, located in the southern province of Kien Giang, covers approximately 21,107 hectares. The core zone spans 8,038 hectares, including a strictly protected area of about 914 hectares, while the buffer zone exceeds 13,000 hectares.
The park is part of the world's biosphere reserves and has been recognised as a Ramsar site. It is an internationally significant wetland reserve listed under the Ramsar Convention, which promotes the conservation and sustainable use of vital wetlands worldwide.
Nguyen Van Thang, Deputy Director of U Minh Thuong National Park, estimated the park's current forest fire risk level is at Level 1. However, by May, most forested areas are expected to reach Levels 4 and 5, which are classified as dangerous and hazardous fire risk levels.
This dry season, the park has identified 4,730 hectares as high-risk fire zones, 85 of which have an exceptionally high risk of fire, while the remaining areas are currently at Levels 1 and 2.
According to Thang, U Minh Thuong National Park has deployed five mobile ranger and fire prevention teams, comprising more than 60 personnel, stationed at key areas around the clock.
Additionally, the park has dredged and reinforced five reservoirs, each capable of storing 150 cubic metres of water. These reservoirs are located in high-risk areas to ensure adequate water supply for firefighting and to maintain moisture levels in the forest undergrowth.
The park has also reinforced six water control sluices and activated two pumping stations to supply additional water for fire prevention.
Officials from the mobile team estimate that water in the core zone evaporates at a rate of 1-2 cm per day. If the pumping stations maintain this water level, the core zone's water levels will remain stable throughout the month.
The canal and dike system surrounding the core zone extend 38.4 km. The concrete road running along the perimeter dike measures 30.1 km long, and 2.5–5 metres, wide and can support loads of 5 tonnes or more.
Cao Thanh Dien, a mobile fire prevention and response team member at U Minh Thuong National Park, climbed the observation tower, which stands over 30 metres above ground level. With the help of binoculars, he can oversee the entire core zone. Upon detecting smoke or unusual signs, Dien immediately contacts the command centre.
Dien has spent many years stationed within the park's core zone and has witnessed raging fires consuming rows of melaleuca trees on multiple occasions.
Meanwhile, the ground patrol team endures challenging treks into the core of the primaeval forest, assessing humidity levels in the undergrowth and removing combustible materials along their patrol routes.
After completing their patrol duties, the officers return to their designated camps, where they bathe, cook, and engage in daily activities similar to those at home.
