The catastrophic forest fire that occurred on March 21 and 22 in Yen Son district burned down more than 20 hectares of protective forest and killed 1 person during the fire fighting process. The dry weather and complex terrain have caused many difficulties in fire fighting.
Immediately afterwards, on the afternoon of March 22, a forest fire broke out in the border area between Son Duong district (Tuyen Quang) and Dinh Hoa district (Thai Nguyen). Statistics show that about 10 hectares of special-use forests have been burned.
After a serious forest fire, the Chairman of the People's Committee of Tuyen Quang province requested a temporary stop of forest cover burning activities during hot and dry days. Direct the People's Committees of districts and cities to strengthen propaganda and mobilize people to strictly implement regulations on forest protection and forest fire prevention and fighting.
At the same time, closely inspect and monitor forest fire prevention and fighting, arrange 24/7 duty forces in areas at high risk of fire, and be ready to mobilize on-site forces to handle forest fires.
Strictly handle violations in forest management and use, especially illegal exploitation, trading and transportation of forest products. Coordinate with functional forces to strictly control people entering and leaving the forest, especially in areas with high risk of fire.
Meanwhile, in Bac Kan province, from March 20 to 23 alone, there were 3 consecutive forest fires in the communes and wards of Bac Kan city. The authorities quickly approached and extinguished the fires.
However, according to the assessment of the authorities, from the beginning of 2025 until now, the situation of forest fires and forest fire risks in Bac Kan has been very complicated.
From January 2025 to now, the whole Bac Kan province has had more than 10 forest fires that damaged about 40 hectares of forest. The number of forest fires since the beginning of the year has exceeded the total number of forest fires in 2024.
The main cause of the fires was that people going to the forest used fire carelessly, treated vegetation for forest planting but did not monitor, monitor, and burn garbage near the forest, causing the fires to spread.
Bac Kan is the province with the highest forest coverage rate in the country with more than 374,000 hectares. Currently, during the peak of the dry season, forest rangers have increased patrols and forest inspections, ensuring more than 50% of the permanent troops at the base.
Bac Kan province also requires localities to effectively implement forest fire prevention and fighting; strengthen inspection of high-risk areas; strictly prohibit all acts of using fire in and near forests on days with high forest fire forecast.
