Forest rangers of the Xuân Lộc Protective Forest Management Board go on patrol and check the forest’s situation. — Photo nongnghiep.vn

ĐỒNG NAI — Despite the heat of 40 degrees Celsius, many forest rangers are diligently on duty and going on patrol regularly to protect the forest.

On his working day, Tô Thế Mạnh, Deputy Director of the Xuân Lộc Protective Forest Management Board, carefully checked the fuel of his motorbike and tied down necessary items on it.

He started the vehicle and drove towards the forest.

“There has been no rain here for the past three months. At this time, the forest fire risk is always at level five – the highest level,” said Mạnh.

“Many cajuput trees have died and hybrid acacia trees have yellowed leaves. They are at risk of mass death because they cannot withstand the heat. Therefore, forest fire prevention and fighting must be given top priority," he said.

Up to now, more than 20ha of hybrid acacia trees have died.

In addition, some native timber trees also stand dead and withered.

From 9am to 4pm is the peak time for forest fire prevention.

With the motto "prevention is key and firefighting must be timely", all forest rangers take turns to be on duty continuously, because with just one little mistake, the whole forest could be burnt down.

Trần Đăng Quý, a member of the forest management team in charge of the Gia Huynh Region, said, “We also water the plants frequently because if newly planted trees are exposed to such strong sunlight, they will all die."

Warning

According to the Xuân Lộc Protective Forest Management Board, in the past few days, the weather has changed rapidly with intense heat.

In Đầm Voi, Gia Phu and Lán Cát regions, which border Bình Thuận Province, due to dry weather and winds, the risk of forest fires is very high.

About 1,000ha of young forests are being actively watered to fight the effects of drought.

Mạnh said, "To ensure good forest fire prevention and control, in recent days, all forces, along with necessary equipment and means of prevention, are in a state of readiness all day.”

To limit the risk of forest fires, up to now the Management Board has basically removed vegetation and flammable materials in the forest.

At the same time, it strengthens the forces to promptly remind and handle people going in and out of the forest using smoke to catch bees and snakes.

Households living in adjacent areas and train passengers also receive warning about the problem.

The Xuân Lộc Protective Forest Management Board is also surveying all water reservoirs to dredge more if necessary.

It monitors the underground water level to best prepare the water source for irrigation to save the forest trees and for fighting fires.

The biggest difficulty that the Management Board is facing now is that the weather continues to be hot and sunny. Strong winds bring down a lot of dry vegetation, creating a lot of fuel for fires on the forest floor. — VNS