
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, preventing and fighting forest fires is receiving special attention.

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 the risk of forest fires will be high. 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, raise awareness of PCCCR to all people.

The most important are still the special-use forests such as Hoang Lien and Sa Pa National Parks; Hoang Lien - Van Ban Nature Reserve; 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 controlled. However, it is currently the dry season, the off-season of farming, and the holidays, so it is easy for bad guys to take advantage of it 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.

The unit identified 13 key areas with high risk of fire 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 built a forest fire prevention and fighting map system for each key fire area, each village, hamlet and each commune in the management area.
Mr. Phi Van Tai, Deputy Station Chief of Nui Xe 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 given top priority. The station is on duty 24/24 hours, with 100% of its staff.

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

Mr. Ngo Kien Trung, Head of Bat Xat Nature Reserve Management Board, said: Recently, the number of tourists participating in mountain climbing (Nhiu Co San, Ky Quan San, Lao Than, Pu Ta Leng) has increased, the checkpoints must maintain 24/24 hours of force and perform the task of recording information of people entering and leaving the forest, propagating to mountain climbers 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, regularly organize propaganda about forest fire risk warnings through the loudspeaker system of 5 communes with forest areas under the management and protection of the Reserve.

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. Check, urge and control the use of fire in forests 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 activities 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 risk of forest fires at level IV (dangerous level), level V (extremely dangerous level).
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