More than 300 personnel successfully contained and extinguished five forest fires in Phu Bai Ward, Hue City, after nearly a day of intensive firefighting efforts.
According to the Nam Song Huong Forest Protection Department, authorities received reports on July 19 of five separate forest fires, each approximately one kilometre apart, in the affected area.
Later that day, under the direction of the Hue City People's Committee and the city police, more than 300 personnel were deployed, including forest rangers, firefighters, soldiers, police officers, militia members, local authorities and other emergency response teams.
Prolonged hot weather, strong winds and thick layers of dry vegetation allowed the flames to spread rapidly into sections of planted production forests. Firefighting operations were further complicated by steep, rugged terrain and the remote location of several fire sites deep inside the forest.
By the evening of July 19, the fires had been largely brought under control. However, strong winds caused several underground hotspots to reignite overnight.
On July 20, Hoang Hai Minh, permanent vice chairman of the Hue City People's Committee, ordered additional personnel to eliminate the remaining hotspots completely. Later the same day, all five fires were fully extinguished.
Following the operation, city authorities instructed emergency teams to remain on standby, continue patrols and monitor the affected areas to prevent any further flare-ups. Officials were also directed to assess the total area of forest damaged, determine the cause of the fires and implement forest restoration measures in accordance with regulations.