Persistent heat waves and dry conditions in Da Nang mean an increased risk of wildfires, say experts. Therefore, forest rangers and authorities at local level across the city are proactive in taking synchronous solutions, and making the resources available in order to ensure the rapid and efficient response to wildfires in line with the motto ‘ Prevention is key while prompt and timely response to fire incidents is critical’.

Mr Le Dinh Tham, the Head of the Hoa Vang District Forest Protection Division, (right) discussing with owners of plantation forests how to prevent and fight wildfires in the hot weather. Photo: VAN HOANG

Efforts to prevent wildfires

Located to the west of Da Nang, Hoa Vang District boasts the greatest natural forest area in the city with nearly 73,316 hectares and its forests are adjacent to Thua Thien Hue and Quang Nam provinces. However, the district’s topographic conditions, including fragmentation, steep slopes, many rivers and streams, are among factors that hinder local forest management.

Most notably, only 1 forest fire occurred in the Hoa Nhon - Hoa Son Commune in 2022, a decrease of 9 incidents compared to the previous year. The positive result was attributed to fire protection efforts of forest rangers, local-level authorities and residents.

Over the past year, 8 steering committees for Forest Fire Prevention and Control, 8 communal-level community emergency response teams, 42 mass groups for forest protection and prevention with a combined total personnel of over 500 were set up across the district.

Mr. Nguyen Tien Hanh, a member of the rapid response team for forest fire prevention and fighting in Hoa Phu commune, highlighted the importance of better coordination among relevant local units to patrol and monitor in their assigned area in preventing wildfires as persistent heat waves in the city pose higher risks of wildfires in this suburban district, especially in areas filled with dry grass and reeds.

Mr. Hanh and other members of the rapid response team often conduct patrols along forest trails, forest edge areas adjacent to plantation forests, in order to stop illegal burning of vegetation, and immediately report a fire incident to functional forces and notify them of the incident, as well as assist fire fighters to find the fastest way to reach the burn site. Special attention is paid to launching awareness raising campaigns to educate forest growers about unprecedented fire risks in plantation forests due to hot weather.

Mr. Vo So, a resident of Phu Hai Village, Hoa Phu Commune remarked that his family is planting 16ha of acacia trees. In the face of rising wildfire risk associated with hot weather, he and his family members are always ready to respond to fire incident in his family’s planted areas with fire suppression equipment. In addition, he always reports the burning of vegetation in his planted area to the competent forces for monitoring and supervision while ensuring strict compliance with the city’s forest safety rules.

Meanwhile, the Son Tra Peninsula is considered as the "green lung" of the namesake district, and Da Nang as a whole as it has 3,791ha of forests and land planed for forest development.

According to the Son Tra - Ngu Hanh Son Inter-District Forest Protection Division, the Son Tra Peninsula boasts a rich diversity of plant and animal species with 1,679 species of animals and plants, including 110 species of plants and 58 species of animals that are endangered precious and rare species in need of protection. Especially, the Son Tra Peninsula is often acclaimed as a natural shield, but its role as a shelter for the rare red-shanked douc langurs that are dubbed ‘queen of primates’. Major species of planted trees in this Peninsula include Parashrea Chinensis, Hopea odorata, Acacia, Eucalyptus that are a valuable source of materials for small scale furniture builders, wood chips used for pulp and paper production. No wildfire incidents were reported in the Son Tra Peninsula in 2022 due to the combined efforts of relevant local units in forest management, and fire protection and prevention.

Synchronous measures for wildfire prevention taken

Mr Ngo Truong Chinh, the Head of the Son Tra - Ngu Hanh Son Inter-District Forest Protection Division , highlighted great efforts functional forces have made to boost engagement and commitment of households, individuals and organizations operating in, near and along forests since the beginning of the year in order to make sure that they strictly abide by safety rules for fire prevention and fighting. In addition, phone numbers of local forest rangers are being displayed along the leading road to the Son Tra Mountain to help local residents and tourists to immediately report a fire incident occurring.

Furthermore, the unit advised the Da Nang Forest Protection Department to set up a 6-member rapid response team stationed in Son Tra District. This force will perform their assigned task during peak dry season 6- month period every year, from April until September. They are on duty to respond to fire incidents during heat-periods, especially over the forthcoming 5-day break for Hung Kings Festival (April 29), the National Reunification Day (April 30) and Labour Day (May 1).

According to the Hoa Vang District Forest Protection Division, since early 2023, the unit has worked with communal-level authorities to create effective and practical plan for fire prevention and control with a focus on setting up a standby force to join local forces to conduct patrols in the forest fire-prone areas in efforts to prevent wildfires. Importance has been attached to educating the public about regulations respecting health and safe in the forest, especially safe rules for the burning of vegetation in forestry activities.

“The district faces higher risk of wildfires due to hot weather as most of plantation forests are located along residential areas. Hence, the focus must paid on launching mass media public education campaigns for fire prevention and control, as well as setting up community groups to protect the forests in their local areas", remarked Mr Le Dinh Tham, the head of the Hoa Vang District Forest Protection Division.

Mr Le Manh Hung, Vice Head of the Da Nang Forest Protection Department, said that the unit has established a rapid response team for forest fire prevention and control with 40 members, and this team is divided into 3 working groups performing their tasks in the forest fire-prone areas, including Nam Hai Van Forest, the Son Tra Nature Reserve and forests in Hoa Vang District.

“Prevention is key while prompt and timely response to fire incidents is critical. Therefore, the forest rangers and local rangers are used as the core force for fire suppression but local forces will be present immediately at the burn site to stamp out the blaze ," Hung added.

Reporting by VAN HOANG – Translating by H.L