24/7 forest protection during the holidays

Hoang Lien Forest Ranger Department (Hoang Lien Sa Pa National Park) identifies high risk forest fire areas to proactively respond.

The 5-day holiday on April 30 and May 1, 2024 is also the time when mountain climbing and camping activities in the forest are bustling, but it is also the peak of the hot season, so if you are negligent in using fire, forest fires can occur with unpredictable consequences. Therefore, the work of protecting and preventing and fighting forest fires is receiving special attention.

The forest fire warning level in the O Quy Ho pass area, Sa Pa town is at level IV (dangerous level).

According to the forecast of the meteorological and hydrological sector, during the April 30 and May 1 holidays this year, the weather will be hot and sunny, with a high risk of forest fires. In order to stabilize forest management and protection and prevent forest fires from occurring, the Provincial People's Committee requests localities, units and forest owners to strictly implement the direction of the Provincial People's Committee on forest fire prevention and fighting (PCCCR) and the Plan to strengthen forest management, protection and PCCCR in the dry season 2024 - 2025. Accordingly, localities, units and forest owners need to proactively review and identify key areas at high risk of forest fires, strengthen inspection of forest fire prevention and fighting, promptly rectify and handle cases of irresponsibility in forest protection; strengthen and promote propaganda and raise awareness of PCCCR to all people.

Forest rangers educate tourists about forest fire prevention and control.

The most important areas are still special-use forests such as Hoang Lien and Sa Pa National Parks; Hoang Lien - Van Ban Nature Reserve; and Bat Xat Nature Reserve. The characteristics of the three forests above are natural, special-use forests, large areas with rugged terrain, rich ecosystems with many rare species of animals and plants. The situation of deforestation, illegal exploitation, trading and transportation of forest products in the province is basically under control. However, it is currently the dry season, the off-season for farming, and the holiday season, so it is easy for bad guys to take advantage of this to commit acts of encroachment on the forest.

At Hoang Lien National Park, the forest rangers must always be proactive and focused on performing their duties. Mr. Tran Quoc Nam, Deputy Head of Hoang Lien Forest Ranger Department, said: To effectively control the forest, we maintain a 24/7 duty regime at 4 local forest ranger stations and 14 checkpoints in key areas with high risk of fire to promptly detect and respond when forest fires occur. In addition, we also proactively propagate, prevent and handle cases of entering the forest to exploit forest products.

Forest rangers increase patrols and proactively detect risks of forest fires.

The unit identified 13 key areas with high fire risk in 5 communes, covering an area of ​​over 6,800 hectares (accounting for 18.9% of the total forest area of ​​the Park). The Department has developed a forest fire prevention and fighting map system for each key fire area, each village, hamlet and commune in the management area.

Mr. Phi Van Tai, Deputy Head of the Xe Mountain Control Station, confided: With the nature of the forest protection profession, we "rarely" have a full day off. This year's holiday lasts 5 days, so the number of tourists coming to visit and climb the mountain here is forecast to increase. It is also the peak of the dry season, the risk of forest fires is high, so the work of forest protection and forest fire prevention and fighting is a top priority. The station is on duty 24/7, with 100% of its staff.

Forest rangers regularly monitor the forest fire warning system software.

Bat Xat Nature Reserve has a total forest area of ​​over 18,600 hectares. Since the end of March, the weather in the area has been complicated, with prolonged hot weather and strong winds, and the risk of forest fires is very high. To improve the effectiveness of forest protection and forest fire prevention and control during the dry season of 2024, especially during the April 30 and May 1 holidays, Bat Xat Nature Reserve has set up 13 temporary forest protection and forest fire prevention and control posts in 5 core communes. The posts are located in the village center and the "gateway" to the forest to propagate and mobilize people in the area to participate in forest protection and organize forest fire prevention and control work well.

The unit also increased the number of forest fire warning signs in high-risk areas and on mountain climbing routes to raise awareness of forest protection among the people and tourists.

Bat Xat Nature Reserve sets up additional temporary checkpoints to protect the forest.

Mr. Ngo Kien Trung, Head of Bat Xat Nature Reserve Management Board, said: Recently, the number of tourists participating in mountain climbing (Nhieu Co San, Ky Quan San, Lao Than, Pu Ta Leng) has increased, the checkpoints must maintain a 24/7 force and perform the task of recording information about people entering and leaving the forest, propagating to tourists climbing to raise awareness of forest protection, forest fire prevention and control. In addition, the unit maintains forces, prepares adequate means, equipment, tools, and is ready to deploy forest fire prevention and control measures according to the "4 on-site" motto. At the same time, it regularly organizes propaganda about forest fire risk warnings through the loudspeaker system of 5 communes with forest areas under the management and protection of the Reserve.

Increase the number of forest fire warning signs to propagate and raise people's awareness of forest fire prevention and control.

To effectively protect forests, localities need to promote propaganda and education to raise awareness and responsibility in forest fire prevention and control for all people living in and near forests. Inspect, urge and control the use of fire in and near forests by people, especially slash-and-burn activities and ecotourism. Absolutely do not allow the use of fire to clear vegetation and other fire-using behaviors that pose a high risk of causing forest fires and spreading into forests during peak periods, with a high risk of forest fires, with a forecast of forest fire risk at level IV (dangerous level), level V (extremely dangerous level).

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/tuc-truc-2424-gio-bao-ve-rung-trong-dip-nghi-le-post383366.html