U Minh Ha cajeput forest in Ca Mau province (Photo: VNA)Ca Mau (VNA) – More than 26,200 ha out of the43,500 ha of forested area in the Mekong Delta province of Ca Mau are facingextremely high risks of wildfire, according to the provincial Department ofAgriculture and Rural Development.
More specifically, alarms at fourth and fifth levels – thehighest in the five-level warning system – have been applied to more than10,500 ha of forest managed by U Minh Ha company.
Nearly 2,200 ha of forest in the U Minh Ha National Parkhave been given a fourth-tier warning, while about 570 ha in Hon Khoai and HonChuoi islands have been subject to the highest warning level.
Many other forests are also at high risk, including the communesof Nguyen Phich, Khanh An, and Khanh Lam in U Minh district; and the communesof Khanh Binh Tay Bac and Tran Hoi of Le Van Thoi district.
Director of the provincial Department of Agriculture andRural Development Le Thanh Trieu said that intense sunlight and strong windshave endangered a large area of forest in U Minh Ha and islands in theprovince.
In the days ahead, the province is forecast to continuesuffering from intense sunshine which runs hand-in-hand with high risks ofwildfire, he said, adding that many canals have been exhausted, making itdifficult for fire rescue activities.
In that context, the leader of the provincial People’sCommittee has asked the Forest Management Sub-Department and localities toapply preventative measures and keep regular watch on high risk areas fortimely response.
Furthermore, the province willstrengthen communications to encourage locals to engage in wildfire preventionand response activities, while warning communities of the high risks of forestfires and deploying patrol forces to prevent people from entering the forestfor illegal hunting activities. –VNA
VNA
