Community responsibility in forest fire prevention and control

BHG - Forest fires are one of the serious dangers, threatening not only the ecological environment but also directly affecting people's lives. Realizing this, in recent times, the Party Committee, government, community and people in Xin Man district have proactively implemented many measures to effectively prevent and control forest fires.

In late March, the people of Ban Ngo commune put aside their family work and worked together to clear and create white firebreaks in forest areas at high risk of fire. This is the time when the weather in Xin Man is often hot and dry, with potential fire risks, especially in forests with trees containing a lot of resin and thick layers of ground cover. In just a short time, people created nearly 3km of white firebreaks, 10-12m wide. Thereby, helping to prevent the risk of fire spreading, minimizing damage when incidents occur, contributing to the protection of natural resources and the living environment. In addition, in order to ensure fire prevention and control in the dry season, the Party Committee and the government of Ban Ngo commune have directed villages and hamlets to strengthen propaganda and require households to sign a commitment to strictly implement fire prevention and control measures. Areas at high risk of forest fires are focused on controlling and clearing ground cover promptly.

People of Tru Chai village, Ban Ngo commune (Xin Man) process vegetation in the forests.

In Xin Man commune, the People's Committee directed cadastral officers and people in the villages to handle the vegetation, maintain and renew the firebreaks. The whole commune has more than 700 hectares of forest, of which protective forests account for more than 400 hectares, the rest is production forest. Chairman of Xin Man commune People's Committee Tai Minh Cuong said: The goal of these firebreaks is to divide forests with thick vegetation, helping to limit the risk of fire spreading. In case of fire, the white firebreaks will play an effective role in preventing the fire, supporting more effective forest fire fighting. Firebreak maintenance is carried out annually, aiming to improve the ability to protect forests and prevent forest fires. Local authorities proactively develop specific plans to ensure that this is implemented continuously and effectively.

The dry season in Xin Man district usually lasts from October of the previous year to April of the following year. Dry weather and low humidity are objective conditions leading to the risk of forest fires. Therefore, from the beginning of the dry season, the district has directed relevant sectors, authorities at all levels, especially the Forest Rangers, to deploy many measures to ensure forest fire prevention and control. Along with that, the District People's Committee issued a document directing communes and towns to strengthen state management of forest fire prevention and control. Specific measures include closely inspecting and supervising the implementation of forest protection and forest fire prevention and control; promoting propaganda through the loudspeaker system and local media; organizing forces on duty 24/24 hours when the risk of forest fires reaches level III or higher; increasing patrols, early detection of forest fire risks for timely handling measures; strictly prohibiting the use of fire in forests and illegal burning.

People of Hau Cau village, Xin Man commune, Xin Man district clear and create firebreaks.

In addition to the involvement of functional agencies, forest owners also play an important role in fire prevention and control. Forest owners are required to arrange specialized forces, fully equip forest fire fighting equipment, regularly patrol and inspect areas at high risk of fire, and coordinate with functional forces and local authorities to improve the effectiveness of fire prevention and control.

The entire Xin Man district currently has more than 28 thousand hectares of protective forests and production forests providing forest environmental services contracted to households and communities. Due to complex terrain and difficult traffic, many areas of pine forests are prone to fire, concentrated in communes such as Trung Thinh, Nan Ma, Ban Ngo... Therefore, fire prevention and control is not only the responsibility of the government but also requires the cooperation of all people. In the coming time, localities need to continue to promote propaganda, strengthen inspection and supervision, and have flexible solutions to promptly respond to possible situations.

Article and photos: Van Long

Source: https://baohagiang.vn/xa-hoi/202504/trach-nhiem-cong-dong-trong-phong-chong-chay-rung-adf3535/