Block key areas, proactively plan
The Department of Agriculture and Environment of Ca Mau province said that on January 14, it issued a plan to prevent and combat forest fires (PCCR) in the dry season of 2026.
According to the plan, many areas are identified as key areas with high fire risk. In which, the melaleuca forest of U Minh Ha National Park in Da Bac commune is a particularly important area, including sub-zones 1, 2, 3, 4, 61 and 63.
In addition, the areas of Khanh Binh (hamlets 2, 3), Khanh An (sub-zones 72, 75, 76 and hamlets 15, 16), Khanh Lam (wartime Command area - Provincial Military Command), Nguyen Phich with U Minh I, U Minh II, Song Trem and 30/4 Forestry Farms belonging to U Minh district are also put under strict monitoring and control.
Clearly defining key areas helps forest owners and functional forces proactively arrange forces, vehicles, and organize command and operation of PCCR promptly and effectively.
To date, all 16 forest owners who are organizations, residential communities and 1,734 households and individuals in the province have completed the development of PCCR plans in accordance with regulations.
Consolidate infrastructure, strengthen local forces
Along with developing plans, Ca Mau province continues to promote propaganda and raise community awareness in forest protection and PCCR. Forest rangers coordinate with local authorities and mass organizations to mobilize people living in and along forests to strictly comply with PCCR regulations, clearly grasp the level of forest fire forecast, fire prohibition regulations and safety requirements in the dry season.
The infrastructure system serving PCCR is maintained and strengthened. Currently, the whole province has 89 water intakes and dams reinforced, ensuring reserve water sources when fires occur. In addition, 74 fire watchtowers, including 65 solid watchtowers and 9 mobile watchtowers, are located in key areas to serve the work of observing and early detection of fire points. Forest owners are responsible for managing, maintaining and operating these works effectively.
Right from the beginning of the dry season, PCCR inspection and training work is also being implemented. It is expected that at the beginning of 2026, the province will organize 3 training classes to improve equipment operation skills, forest fire fighting techniques to coordinate forces according to the "4 on-the-spot" motto, ensuring a rapid response force in case of incidents.
Inspection and handling of violations in the field of forest protection are strengthened, especially for acts of illegal fire use in and along forests.
The Chairman of Ca Mau Provincial People's Committee assigned the Department of Agriculture and Environment to preside over and coordinate with the Provincial Police, the Provincial Military Command, U Minh Ha National Park, U Minh Ha Forestry Company and the People's Committees of U Minh, Khanh Lam, Nguyen Phich, Khanh An, and Da Bac communes to synchronously implement the contents of the plan, ensuring the highest efficiency of PCCR in the dry season.
Ca Mau province currently has more than 160,000 hectares of forestry land, of which the forest area is over 92,000 hectares.
