More than 1,000 people including firemen, police and soldiers in Hà Tĩnh Province worked to stamp out a forest fire in Xuân Hồng Commune, Nghi Xuân District. — VNA/VNS Photo

Phạm Tiến Hưng, deputy chairman of the Nghi Xuân District People’s Committee, said by 10.30am yesterday, a forest fire in Xuân Hồng Commune was controlled, though officials were continuing to patrol the scene in case the fire re-occurs.

Due to prolonged hot dry weather together with strong winds, forest fire prevention in the province has been a challenge.

Forest fires also struck in Sơn Hàm, Sơn Trung and Sơn Lễ communes of Hương Sơn District on Saturday. The first case appeared in Sơn Hàm Commune, and so far 20 places have experienced fires in the district.

Nguyễn Quang Thọ, chairman of the Hương Sơn District People’s Committee, said two forest fires happened in Sơn Trung and Sơn Lễ communes before dawn yesterday. The fire in Sơn Trung was put out whereas the fire in Sơn Lễ was still serious before dawn yesterday.

The district assigned more than 500 people to extinguish the fire, however, strong winds hamstrung their efforts. The fire spread to houses in Nam Sơn Village, forcing authorities to evacuate residents to safety.

Cẩm Mỹ Commune in Cẩm Xuyên District was also hit by a forest fire on Saturday night. The fire was temporarily controlled as of Saturday afternoon.

PM’s guidance

Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc has urged the nation and authorities to strengthen measures to prevent and fight forest fires.

The hot and prolonged dry weather is forecast for the region throughout this week and many forests are at high risk of fires.

The PM asked the leaders of Ninh Bình, Thanh Hóa, Nghệ An, Hà Tĩnh, Quảng Bình, Quảng Trị, Thừa Thiên-Huế, Đà Nẵng, Quảng Nam, Quảng Ngãi, Bình Định, Phú Yên and Khánh Hòa provinces to implement urgent measures to prevent and fight forest fires.

He urged for adequate forces, facilities, supplies and funding, while maintaining 24/7 supervision during the dry season to detect fires and mobilise forces to extinguish forest fires quickly before they spread.

The localities were also asked to be ready to evacuate people from dangerous areas when necessary, ensuring the safety of lives and property of the people and the State and strengthening communications to raise public awareness in forest fire prevention.

Other ministries and agencies were also required to work with provinces and cities to strengthen forest fire prevention and fighting.

The Vietnam Electricity Group was told to work with local authorities and related agencies to ensure the absolute safety of the national electricity system and to avoid incidents that affect power supply.

Press agencies were tasked with implementing communications on forest fire prevention and fighting, as well as promptly delivering information on warnings and forecasts of forest fires.

Weather forecast

The National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Weather Forecast warned hot weather would continue this week leaving high risk of forest fire in central Viet Nam, with average temperatures 34-37 degree Celsius.

The north of the country could see heavy rain, especially in mountainous places causing flash floods and landslides. — VNS