Environment
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| Local rangers try to stamp out fire at a forest zone in Hương Thủy town of the central Thừa Thiên Huế Province. Photo courtesy of Thừa Thiên Huế sub-department of forest protection |
THỪA THIÊN-HUẾ — A huge fire in the central province of Thừa Thiên-Huế has destroyed 213ha of forest which included a section of 40 year old pine trees.
The fire started because unexploded ordinances left from the war with America detonated due to the hot weather.
Firefighters battled the blaze in Hương Thủy which started on June 25. It took them five days to extinguish the fire.
Deputy director of the provincial department of Agriculture and rural development, Nguyễn Đại Anh Tuấn told Việt Nam News all ranger forces from the province and neighbouring Quảng Trị Province were called to stamp out the fire.
In total there were four fires at different sites. Firefighters were hampered by difficult terrain and poor fire-fighting equipment.
He said local rangers had to carry every 5-litre and 10-litre water bottles to the fire, while tractors were hired for transporting water tanks.
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| A ranger carries portable water pump to clear the fire in a forest in Hương Thủy Town of Thừa Thiên Huế Province. Photo courtesy Thừa Thiên Huế sub-department of forest protection |
Tuấn said 48ha of acacia log farms of local residents in communes of Thủy Châu and Thủy Phương were seriously damaged.
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| Firefighters tackled the blaze through the night. Photo courtesy of Thừa Thiên Huế sub-department of forest protection |
Temperature in the area was scorching in previous days hitting highs of 40 degree C, while wind speeds from 39km to 60km per hour made the situation worse, Tuấn said.
The fire is under investigation. VNS
