Yen Bai issues 'red alert' for forest fires.

YEN BAI: During the dry season, the highlands of Yen Bai province are always in a state of 'red alert' for forest fires, requiring authorities and residents to be highly vigilant.

The dry season in the mountainous districts of Yen Bai province is when people often burn fields to clear land for cultivation, so the risk of wildfires spreading into the forest is very high. Photo: Thanh Tien.

The dry season, lasting from September of the previous year to April or May of the following year, is always a critical time for forest fire prevention and control in Yen Bai province, especially in mountainous districts such as Tram Tau, Mu Cang Chai, and Van Chan. Under harsh weather conditions, with little rain, strong winds, and the traditional practice of slash-and-burn agriculture, the risk of wildfires lurking and breaking out at any time is ever-present.

Strictly control slash-and-burn farming practices.

Tram Tau District has a rugged terrain, bordering areas of Yen Bai and Son La provinces, posing numerous challenges in forest protection. With a total forested area of ​​over 45,000 hectares, the majority of which is protective forest (nearly 34,000 hectares) and approximately 12,000 hectares of production forest. The dry season in Tram Tau is long, and when the dry, hot winds blow, even a small mistake in using fire can burn down an entire forest.

Furthermore, the rugged mountainous terrain makes firefighting even more difficult. Whenever a fire breaks out, it usually spreads rapidly and intensely, causing heavy losses, and it can take decades to restore the lost greenery.

Forestry officials educate students about the dangers of forest fires and preventative measures. Photo: Thanh Tien.

According to Mr. Lai Van Quang, Deputy Director of the Tram Tau District Protective Forest Management Board, during the 2023-2024 dry season, three forest fires occurred in the district, damaging over 6.5 hectares of forest, including nearly 3 hectares of natural production forest and nearly 4 hectares of planted production forest. The majority of forest fires originated from slash-and-burn farming practices by local people.

To prevent wildfires, before this year's dry season, the District People's Committee issued numerous directives to strengthen management, protection, and fire prevention and control efforts to prevent illegal deforestation, encroachment on forest land, and especially to strictly control slash-and-burn farming.

The Tram Tau District authorities have directed communes to closely coordinate with local forest rangers and officials from the Protective Forest Management Board to conduct a detailed review and inventory of all cultivated land areas located near or adjacent to forests, thereby implementing effective management measures. During hot, windy days, when the risk of forest fires is high, all acts of bringing fire into the forest or burning cultivated land are strictly prohibited.

Many forest protection measures are being implemented simultaneously in various localities. Photo: Thanh Tien.

"We regularly organize awareness campaigns and provide direct guidance to people on safe slash-and-burn techniques such as: creating firebreaks around the burning area, burning only at appropriate times, usually in the late afternoon when there is no wind, burning from the hilltop down to the foot of the hill, and mobilizing many people to supervise along with on-site firefighting equipment such as water sprayers, machetes, and fire extinguishing tools when necessary," Mr. Quang shared.

Repairing nearly 300km of firebreaks.

Mu Cang Chai is also a frequent site of forest fires during the dry season. Due to harsh weather conditions, with freezing temperatures in winter, many areas on high mountain peaks often experience frost, causing trees and vegetation to wither and die. During the dry season, the hot, dry winds blow, and it is also the time when the Hmong people often burn fields for cultivation and livestock grazing, so the risk of forest fires is always at a critical level. In 2024, five fires occurred in the district, damaging more than 4 hectares of forest.

Entering this year's dry season, the authorities and relevant forces in Mu Cang Chai have implemented a series of decisive measures to limit deforestation. Localities have strengthened 14 Steering Committees for Forest Fire Prevention and Control with over 400 members. In addition, 108 new rapid response teams for patrolling and protecting forests have been established and reinforced, with nearly 650 local people participating.

Authorities regularly patrol the forest and have local people sign pledges to protect the forest and prevent forest fires. Photo: Thanh Tien.

Mr. Nguyen Hung Son, Deputy Director of the Mu Cang Chai District Protective Forest Management Board, said that the unit has coordinated with the Forest Ranger Station and communes to regularly organize community meetings to disseminate legal knowledge, highlight the devastating consequences of forest fires, and emphasize strict regulations on slash-and-burn farming. In particular, they have organized nearly 12,000 households (92%) to sign commitments to protect forests and prevent forest fires.

Furthermore, the systematic demarcation of boundaries between villages and forest plots has made management and response to incidents more effective. Authorities have also guided and worked alongside local people to repair nearly 280km of firebreaks, creating "belts" to prevent the spread of fires in case of emergencies. They regularly maintain a watchtower and temporary shelters at high points to proactively detect forest fires during the dry season.

Increase vigilance to protect the "green lungs" of the country.

According to data from the Yen Bai Provincial Forest Protection Department, in recent years, the number of forest fires and the area of ​​forest damaged have often increased during the dry season. In 2024 alone, due to unusual weather patterns and the carelessness of some people using fire to burn fields and livestock pastures, fires spread into the forests. Throughout the province, 14 fires occurred on land designated for forestry, of which 8 caused significant forest damage. The total damaged forest area was nearly 30 hectares, including 21.8 hectares of natural forest and nearly 8 hectares of planted forest.

Properly managing slash-and-burn farming practices is a crucial solution during the dry season. Photo: Thanh Tien.

Currently, the forest fire alert level in many areas is at a dangerous level, with the potential for large-scale forest fires. In response to this "red alert" situation, relevant agencies and localities in the province have implemented a comprehensive set of solutions to strengthen forest fire prevention and control efforts. The Yen Bai Provincial Forest Protection Force has increased patrols and inspections in key forest areas, especially during hot, windy days. Forest fire prevention and control warning signs have been installed in many locations, combined with public awareness campaigns to encourage people to protect forests and comply with forest fire prevention and control regulations.

Mr. Kieu Tu Giang, Head of the Forest Protection Department of Yen Bai province, added that the Department has directed the Forest Protection Stations to develop detailed forest fire prevention and control plans for each area, and to prepare sufficient personnel, vehicles, and necessary equipment.

Protecting our green forests requires not only the efforts of relevant agencies and local authorities but also the cooperation and sense of responsibility of every citizen. Therefore, we hope that people, especially households living in or near forests, will raise their awareness and strictly comply with regulations on forest fire prevention and control; promptly detect and report fires so that the flames cannot destroy our "green lungs".

Source: https://nongnghiep.vn/yen-bai-bao-dong-do-chay-rung-d747388.html