The blaze broke out at around 4 pm in the Khe Non Mountain range in Tan Thanh Commune and spread rapidly amid prolonged hot and dry weather, sending thick smoke high into the air.
More than 80 personnel, including police officers, soldiers, forest rangers, militia members and local residents, were mobilised to contain the fire shortly after it was reported.
Firefighting efforts were hampered by rugged terrain, dense vegetation and dry conditions. Crews established firebreaks and isolated the affected area to prevent the flames from spreading to neighbouring forest land.
After more than six hours of firefighting, the blaze was largely brought under control by around 10.30 pm.
Initial estimates showed that nearly three hectares of production forest had been damaged.
To Van Vuong, head of Ninh Binh's Forestry and Forest Protection Sub-Department, said emergency crews remained on duty overnight to extinguish smouldering hotspots and prevent the fire from reigniting.
Preliminary investigations found that the fire was caused by local residents burning vegetation and agricultural waste but failing to control the flames. Dry weather conditions allowed the fire to spread quickly into nearby forested areas.
Authorities are continuing to assess the damage, investigate the incident and determine responsibility in accordance with the law.
