Forests in An Giang province’s Tri Ton district. (Photo: VNA) It has faced prolonged dry weather and drought, and its forests are threatenedby the risk of large fires, said the sub-department.
It has identified that nearly 7,370ha, or more than 43% of its forests, have high fire risk, accordingto the provincial Steering Committee for Climate Change Response, NaturalDisaster Prevention and Control, and Civil Defence.
The forests arelocated mostly in mountainous districts of Tinh Bien and Tri Ton and the cityof Chau Doc.
Tinh Bien has 2,912ha of forests facing high fire risk and Tri Ton, 4,000ha.
The sub-department has taken measures, such as preparing facilities and humanresources, to prevent and control forest fires in mountainous districts.
Tran Phu Hoa, head of the sub-department, said police and army forces, rangersand forest owners are determined to prevent and control forest fires bymobilising resources in each locality.
To prevent fires in forests located in flat areas, the sub-department hasinstructed forest owners and relevant units to store water in canals in forestsand clean flammable materials from forests, he said.
It is providing consultancy for local authorities to implement forest fireprevention and control, and is also tightening advocacy activities to enhancethe awareness of the public about fire-prone forests, he said.
The province had 12 forests fires on a total of 5.79ha in the first quarter ofthis year. The fires were discovered and extinguished promptly, according tothe sub-department.
An Giang has nearly 16,870ha of forests and forest-zoned land, including1,577ha of special use forests, 11,550ha of protected forests and 3,741ha ofproductive forests.
Its forests play an important role in protecting the environment andbiodiversity, promoting social-economic development, and protecting securityand border defence./.
VNA
