In July and August 2026, forest fires continuously occurred in Gia Lai province, causing damage to forest resources and affecting the ecological environment.
Most recently, at noon on August 27, a fire occurred in the forest area planted with forest trees on Vung Chua mountain, belonging to Quarter 12, Quy Nhon Nam ward.
Quy Nhon Nam ward mobilized more than 500 people including local forces, soldiers and fire and rescue police, divided into many groups to cross the forest to approach the fire point. Forces cleared the ground, cut the railway to prevent the fire from spreading and controlled the fire. Initial statistics show that about 5 hectares of forest were damaged.
Previously, many consecutive forest fires occurred in communes in the province.
On July 20, a fire broke out in the coastal forest in Phu My Dong commune. Although functional forces extinguished the fire, by July 21, the fire broke out again, spreading about 30ha of protection forest, mainly casuarina, intercropped with cashew and acacia.
On August 21, a fire occurred in the Dau Voi mountain area, Cat Lam village, Hoi Son commune. The fire point is located on a high hill, dangerous terrain, strong winds make it difficult to approach and extinguish the fire. By the evening of August 22, the fire was controlled and extinguished.
On August 23, acacia forest in the Cay Coc pass area, An Chieu village, Hoai An commune caught fire. The locality mobilized about 100 people to fight the fire, and by the evening of August 24, the fire was controlled and completely extinguished.
According to Gia Lai Provincial People's Committee, in the coming time, especially during the National Day holiday of September 2nd, travel, sightseeing, and tourism activities in forest and forest edge areas will increase, posing a high risk of forest fires.
Meanwhile, the weather is hot and dry, with complicated and unpredictable developments; the temperature is maintained at a high level in 82 communes and wards in the province.
Faced with this risk, the Chairman of Gia Lai Provincial People's Committee requested the heads of departments, branches, People's Committees of 82 communes, wards and forest owners to directly direct and be responsible if forest fires occur due to subjectivity, negligence, and irresponsibility in forest management and protection and forest fire prevention and fighting.
Localities and units must activate the "4 on-the-spot" plan at the highest level; review and supplement forest fire prevention and fighting plans suitable to the hot and dry weather due to the impact of El Nino.
In peak forest fire risk, localities must limit and temporarily suspend unnecessary operations to focus forces on forest fire prevention and fighting.
Functional forces are required to directly command and patrol forest fire prevention and fighting 24/24h during hot weather, including the September 2nd holiday; prohibit non-commissioned people from entering the forest and strictly control acts of using fire to clear fields, treat vegetation, burn bees, camp, cook in the forest and along the forest.
The province also requested to strengthen the application of technology to detect early and extinguish immediately when a new fire occurs, not allowing the fire to spread widely.
