Prolonged drought increases forest fire risks

The Forest Protection Department (FPD) is warning below average rainfall and a prolonged dry season may threaten more forest fires in many provinces and cities nationwide.

The FPD, an arm of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, is especially concerned about the risks of serious forest fires in 14 provinces—An Giang, Binh Phuoc, Dong Nai, Dak Nong, Gia Lai, Kon Tum, Lam Dong, Tay Ninh, Nghe An, Binh Thuan, Dien Bien, Dak Lak, Kien Giang, and Son La.

To protect 685,000 ha of forest identified as particularly vulnerable to fire, relevant agencies in Nghe An province are taking preventive measures to minimise potential damage and losses.

Vo Sy Lam, head of the forest protection agency in Nghe An’s Tuong Duong district, said that forest protection and rescue forces have been mobilised at hot spots since the beginning of the dry season, and local farmers have already been provided with know-how to cope with forest fire incidents.

“We painstakingly monitor forest fire forecasts updated by central agencies and closely cooperate with local authorities and people in dealing with emergency cases” Lam said.