Quang Binh protecting forests amid scorching summer heat

Quang Binh province's coastal forests cover nearly 16,000 hectares across 32 communes and wards in the districts of Quang Trach, Bo Trach, Quang Ninh, Le Thuy, the town of Ba Don, and the city of Dong Hoi. Among these areas, 19 communes are located adjacent to the sea; and 13 communes feature predominantly sandy terrain bordering coastal communes.

The coastal forests are primarily planted for protection purposes, featuring a diverse range of species including coastal she-oak, earleaf acacia, northern wattle, among various others.

According to the Dong Hoi Coastal Protection Forest Management Board and the coastal forest management board of Quang Binh province, over 10,000 hectares of coastal planted forests fall under the management of these agencies. Dinh Thanh Quang, Deputy Director in charge of coastal protection forests in Quang Binh province, noted that the province's extensive forest areas are located adjacent to traffic routes, residential areas and cemeteries. As a result, there is an increased risk of forest fires caused by the negligent behavior of surrounding residents during intense heat waves.

Deputy Director Quang added that since the beginning of 2024, his agency has proactively developed forest fire prevention and fighting plans to minimize the occurrence of fires in preparation of the heat waves. Accordingly, the agency has focused on raising awareness and garnering public support for forest fire prevention efforts.

The southern coastal areas of Dong Hoi city, and Quang Ninh and Le Thuy districts feature a relatively expansive terrain, with multiple high sand dunes interspersed with low-lying areas that experience floods during the rainy season. The local forests primarily consist of various species of acacia and low, sparse casuarina trees. Notably, several forests with a dense vegetation are located adjacent to traffic routes, residential areas and cemeteries, which significantly increase the risk of forest fires.

Tran Van Chau, head of the Dinh Muoi Forest Protection Station, which is part of the Quang Binh coastal protection forest, highlighted the challenges in protecting a forest located on sandy terrain. Accordingly, his team typically patrols along sandy roads during noon due to the increased risk of fire at this time of the day and the potential for delayed fire detection. "Our team patrols or mans lookout towers under the scorching sun, with temperatures reaching over 40 degrees Celsius in the sandy areas. Patrolling the forests is particularly difficult, as there is rarely any shade for us to rest under, which rapidly drains the team's stamina," Tran Van Chau added.

Quang Binh province has recored five forests fires with a total affected area of 24 hectares since the beginning of the year. Consequently, at least 10 hectares of planted forests in the communes of Hai Ninh and Vo Ninh (Quang Ninh district) and Ngu Thuy (Le Thuy district) suffered extensive damage. Subsequently, the province has shifted its priority towards forest fire prevention and fighting efforts.

In response to the challenges in forest fire prevention and control, the Quang Binh Coastal Protection Forest Management Board has signed a cooperation agreement on forest management and fire prevention with relevant local governments, agencies, businesses, and households located adjacent to the forests.

Deputy Director Dinh Thanh Quang stated, "In the event of a forest fire, stakeholders who have signed the cooperation agreement will participate in firefighting efforts, while also reporting and communicating with the relevant local authorities where the fire occurs to involve the local community in firefighting activities."

We traversed the scorching sand dunes to the fire lookout tower on a hill in Hong Thuy commune. Nguyen Van Liec, a local resident participating in forest protection efforts in Hong Thuy commune, Le Thuy district, noted that during the intense heat waves of June, the coastal forests surrounding the flood bypass road are highly susceptible to fires. Careless smoking by travelers and drivers resting after long journeys is a common cause for forest fires.

"When a forest fire occurs, we immediately alert our team at the station, and urgently join in extinguishing the fire to save the forest and prevent the fires from spreading over a wider area," Nguyen Van Liec added.