Fire at a protection forest area in the central province of Quảng Trị on May 17, 2023. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính has urged stepping up wildfire prevention measures as heatwaves are scorching many localities nationwide, increasing the risk of wildfires.

In a dispatch sent to leaders of relevant ministries, agencies and localities, the PM noted that northern, central and southwestern regions are going through heatwaves that push temperatures to up to 40 degrees Celsius in certain areas.

Forest fires have been reported in some localities like Hòa Bình, Sơn La, Điện Biên, Lai Châu, Quảng Nam, and Lâm Đồng, causing great losses, according to the dispatch.

To prevent wildfires and reduce their damage, the PM asked chairpersons of people’s committees of provinces and centrally-run cities to take responsibility for the work in their localities.

Inspections and supervisions over wildfire prevention and control should be enhanced and considered a key task, he said, asking local authorities to review forces and equipment, and outline wildfire prevention and control plans.

The leader stressed that relevant forces must work round the clock during the dry season and hot days.

He also emphasised the need for localities to raise the capacity of forest rangers in forest management and fire prevention and control, while intensifying communications work to improve public awareness of the issue.

They should keep a close watch on weather forecasts and wildfire warnings, and report fires to the Forest Protection Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), the PM said.

The MARD was tasked with instructing and organising wildfire prevention and control nationwide, while the ministries of National Defence and Public Security will review wildfire prevention and control plans in the localities where their units are based, and stand ready to mobilise forces and equipment for firefighting when requested.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment will work to ensure the quality of weather forecasts. The Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Ministry of Finance will coordinate with the MARD in the funding for the work.

The Ministry of Information and Communications, the Vietnam Television, Radio The Voice of Vietnam, the Vietnam News Agency and other press agencies will continue with the communication work, the dispatch said. — VNS