Rangers tackle a forest fire (Photo: VNA) Ca Mau (VNA) - The Mekong Delta province of Ca Mau is taking plenty ofprecautions this year after several forest fires broke out last year at the UMinh Ha National Park.
Theprovince’s dry season usually lasts from November to April, but this year theonset has been late after unseasonable rains before and after Tet (Lunar NewYear), and this means water levels in the park’s water bodies are still high.
Accordingto the park’s Forest Ranger Department, the water levels are at 80 – 100cm inlow-lying areas and 30- 40cm in higher places, and this is an advantage whentrying to prevent forest fires.
Butaccording to the province People’s Committee, other prevention measures cannotbe neglected because last year there were five fires that damaged some 17ha offorests though preventive measures had been in place.
Thisyear the department and other relevant agencies have drawn up manyfire-prevention plans such as widening roads to allow fire trucks to go deepinto the park, monitoring high-risk zones and severely penalising anyoneflouting forest fire prevention rules.
NguyenVan Liem, deputy head of the department, said observation towers have beenrepaired and water pumps, tubes and taps have been inspected.
Thedepartment has received two more large fire pumps, increasing the total numberin the park to 13, he said.
Thepark stretches over 8,257ha in U Minh and Tran Van Thoi districts.-VNA
