Prolonged and large scale hot weather has put Da Nang on the dangerous alert level of forest fire.

Fire engines spraying water on vegetation fire on the Son Tra Peninsula on 10 June

Since the start of this year, a total of 6 forest fires were recorded on the Son Tra Peninsula. As a result, 9,964m² of vegetation has been totally destroyed during the fires.

Most recently, a vegetation fire has broken out at taluses on the road leading to the Bai Bac (Northern Beach) tourist site on the Son Tra Peninsula. The fire was caused by careless visitors and picnickers when using fire for cooking and grilling.

In addition, another blaze has destroyed 1,400m² of acacia forest in Hoa Lien Commune, Hoa Vang District. A grass fire lit by local residents near the forest was thought to have caused the incident.

During that period, fines totalling 19.5 million VND have been imposed on 8 people for violating the city’s regulations about forest fire prevention and firefighting.

Mr Tran Thang, Head of the Son Tra-Ngu Hanh Son Forest Ranger Division, remarked the Son Tra forest is facing high risks of fire due to visitors’ irresponsible behavior in burning incense and votive papers, and throwing cigarettes. In addition, visitors cook dishes and use fire during their overnight camping trips in the forest.

Functional bodies checking forest firefighting equipment

Mr Hoang Cong Thanh, Vice Chairman of the Son Tra District People’s Committee, stressed the need for relevant local agencies to increase their checks and tighten their monitoring of production and business activities on forests, and picnic activities in a bid to prevent forest fires.

Deputy Head of Lien Chieu District’s Forest Ranger Division Nguyen Dinh Nam highlighted the necessity for functional bodies to issue a ban on burning fires in ecotourism areas during the current dry season, as well as for forest rangers to strictly comply with the municipal regulations about forest fire prevention and firefighting.

Lt Col Tran Van Huong, Deputy Head of the Fire Fighting and Prevention Police Division under the municipal Police Department, remarked over recent days, police officers have become actively involved in raising public awareness about forest fires, and assigning officials on duty around the clock to protect the forests.