BÌNH PHƯỚC — Prolonged dry weather has significantly increased forest fire risk in the southeast region, authorised agencies report.

In southern Bình Phước Province, at least 150 forest fire hotspots have been named since the beginning of this year. The province has more than 58,000 hectares of forests, scattered through the Bù Gia Mập, Phước Long, Đồng Phú, Lộc Ninh, and Bù Đăng districts. The risk of fire is extremely high in these forests.

Nguyễn Văn Trường, a Phước Long Township resident, said it rained in the past several days. But not enough.

“Just dropping a cigarette butt can cause fire,” he said.

Vũ Đình Trúc, the deputy head of the provincial Forest Protection Department, said the province has more than 30 units in charge of forest protection  and 90 teams in charge of fire control. These teams patrol areas at high risk of fire and clean up dry leaves.

In southern Bà Rịa - Vũng Tàu Province, nearly 30 forest fire hotpsots have been pointed out. Of these, the Long Sơn, Thị Vải, and Minh Đạm mountains are at highest risk, as there is no water available on these mountains to battle fires.

Ngô Thanh Quang, a representative of the provincial Forest Protection Department, said the province has prepared plans in case of fires. Rangers, soldiers and local residents would be mobilised for tasks. In key areas, rangers would co-ordinate with local people around-the-clock, to avoid fires.

In southern Đồng Nai Province, many forests in the Tân Phú, Vĩnh Cửu, Xuân Lộc, and Long Thành districts are warning locals of fire risks.

Local authorities set up fire watchtowers and mobilised rangers for active duty at 60 areas around-the-clock, to prevent fires.

Dry weather and drought are expected to continue in the region until next month. — VNS