Forest rangers on patrol in the U Minh Hạ National Park in Cà Mau Province. – VNA/VNS Photo Huỳnh Anh

CÀ MAU – In the southernmost province of Cà Mau, 47,900ha of forests face the threat of fire designated from moderate to dangerous, according to its Forest Protection Sub-department.

Some 25,160ha face a level 2 (moderate) risk, 18,600ha are at level 3 (high) and 4,120ha are at level 4 (dangerous).

Most of the forests are in the U Minh Hạ area, Hòn Khoai island cluster and a few communes.

U Minh Hạ has 35,000ha, including more than 8,500ha in the U Minh Hạ National Park while the rest is managed by the U Minh Hạ Forestry One Member Co., Ltd.

The province is entering the peak period of the dry season, which normally lasts between December and April.

Temperatures are expected to remain high and so many forests in U Minh Hạ face an increasing threat of fire, according to local authorities.

The sub-department has asked the U Minh Hạ National Park, the U Minh Hạ Forestry One Member Co., Ltd. and farmers managing forests to take proactive fire prevention measures.

The managers need to expand fire prevention efforts and persuade people living near forests to pledge they would join protection and fire prevention efforts, it said.

They along with other competent agencies should strengthen patrolling to prevent violations of safety regulations, it said.

The U Minh Hạ National Park management has vehicles and other facilities and personnel standing by and built dams to store water for firefighting.

Nguyễn Văn Liêm, head of the park forest protection division, said obstacles have been cleared in 73km of the park’s 127km of canals to facilitate waterway travel, arranged pumps in key areas and installed warning signs at 36 places to keep people out of high fire-risk areas.

Last year the park installed cameras that can monitor 2,500ha of forests. 

Nguyễn Văn Tâm, a ranger, said he and his colleagues monitor the park around the clock during the peak dry season and have little time to visit home.

“We hope there is no incident [forest fire]. We will be glad [if there is none].” – VNS