A corner of U Minh Thượng National Park in the Mekong Delta province of Kiên Giang. From April 15, the National Park will be closed to ensure fire prevention. VNA/VNS Photo

HCM CITY — Authorities in Kiên Giang Province have reported that the weather in the province is in the peak period of the dry season, with prolonged hot weather, low water levels in forests and elevated risk of forest fires.

From April 15, the unit will close and temporarily stop welcoming tourists to ensure fire prevention.

Therefore, forest ranger units and local authorities have been actively implementing a plan to prevent fire incidents.

Nguyễn Văn Toàn, deputy head of Vĩnh Thuận-U Minh Thượng district forest rangers, said that the hydro-meteorological agency predicts that this year's dry season will witness the El Nino phenomenon and prolonged heat, leading to more severe water scarcity compared to the same period last year.

To avoid fire incidents, the authority has informed forest managers and related units to proactively build dams to keep the water level over 10 cm higher than the annual level.

According to Nguyễn Văn Sơ, Deputy Head of Forest Protection and Development Management Department, the forest's potential for fire is rated between level 2 and 4.

The unit has arranged 5 fire prevention and fighting teams into on-site forces, on-site vehicles, on-site logistics, and on-site command.

U Minh Thượng National Park covers over 8,500 ha in Minh Thuận and An Minh Bắc communes in U Minh Thượng District.

It is the fifth biosphere reserve in Việt Nam recognised by UNESCO and the eighth Ramsar site in the country. — VNS