Binh Phuoc tightens forest protection in dry season

Binh Phuoc (VNA) - Authorities in the southern province of Binh Phuoc are tightening measures to prevent forest fires in the dry season as prolonged heat has occurred since the beginning of the year.

The province, which has the largest land area in the south, has about 360,000ha of forests and areas zoned for forest cultivation, accounting for 53 percent of the province’s total area.

In Bu Dang district, the local Protective Forest Management Board and forest-allocated households are tightening patrols to protect 40,000 forests, mostly bamboo and wooden trees.

Local residents normally enter forests to harvest wild vegetables and they can cause forest fires, according to the management board.

Many warning signs about forest fire risks and prevention have been erected in the district’s forests.

The management board has invested in more water containers, pumps, pipes and other firefighting tools.

Le Hung, Director of the management board, said the management board has set up temporary sheds in forests facing high fire risks. The sheds provide a resting place for forest rangers when they stay in forests. 

The management board, in cooperation with forest - allocated households and the Nam Cat Tien Protective Forest Management Board in the neighbouring province of Dak Nong, is working around the clock to prevent forest fires.

“In the dry season between January and May, we have to work very hard to prevent forest fires,” Hung said.
 
The Binh Phuoc provincial People’s Committee has ordered relevant departments, agencies and forest owners to work closely to prevent and control forest fires.

People who enter forests which have high fire risk should be strictly managed, said the People’s Committee.

All activities that use fires in forests should be temporarily suspended, it said./.