On March 25, the Chairman of the People's Committee of Ca Mau province issued a document requesting an investigation and clarification of the planted forest fire in Tran Van Thoi district.
According to the report of the People's Committee of Tran Van Thoi District and the Forest Protection Department of Ca Mau Province, at 12:30 on March 22, a forest fire broke out at lots 12, 13, 14, 15, compartment 4 and lot 12, compartment 3, Sub-zone 064, in Hamlet 3, Khanh Binh Bac Commune, Tran Van Thoi District.
When the fire was discovered, relevant authorities promptly coordinated to direct, mobilize forces, arrange vehicles, machinery, equipment, and organize fire fighting. By 3:30 p.m. the same day, the fire was controlled and extinguished.
The fire damaged 0.66 hectares of cajuput forest (500-6 year old planted forest, belonging to the production forest) of 3 households: Duong Van Tam, Tran Cong Dinh and Vo Van Toan. The initial cause of the fire was determined to be that Mr. Duong Van Tam's household burned the skin, causing the fire to spread. The authorities are continuing to investigate, verify, and clarify.
The Chairman of the People's Committee of Ca Mau province requested the Department of Agriculture and Environment (the standing agency of the Steering Committee for the implementation of the Sustainable Forestry Development Program of Ca Mau province for the period 2021-2025) to preside over and coordinate with the Provincial Police and relevant departments, branches, localities, and units to direct the investigation, clarify the cause of the fire, identify violators (if any), and strictly handle them according to the law.
Regarding strengthening forest fire prevention and fighting in the coming time, the Chairman of the People's Committee of Ca Mau province requested the People's Committee of Tran Van Thoi district to direct Khanh Binh Bac commune and relevant forces to strengthen propaganda work, raise awareness and consciousness of people's compliance with forest fire prevention and fighting regulations, especially during the peak of the dry season, absolutely do not let field burning or forest fire burning occur. Coordinate with relevant units to have plans for fire prevention and fighting, increase the frequency of patrolling, checking, controlling, proactively arranging forces and fire fighting equipment, and well managing the forest area assigned to the locality.
Forest owners, localities and relevant units should review, update and strictly implement the approved forest fire prevention and fighting plan. Raise vigilance, increase patrols, guard, ensure forces, vehicles, and fire fighting equipment to immediately handle situations when they arise.
The Provincial Police directed relevant affiliated units to coordinate with the Forest Protection Department to strengthen inspections of forest fire prevention and fighting work of forest owners, especially forest planting enterprises in the U Minh Ha area. Timely rectify limitations and shortcomings and handle violations in fire prevention and fighting according to regulations.
