On April 26, Co To Commune People's Committee said that it had reported on a forest fire that occurred earlier on April 24, 2026 in plot 10, sub-zone 26, Binh Minh melaleuca production forest, belonging to Co To commune (An Giang).
At 5:35 pm on April 24, people discovered a fire and promptly reported it to the Co To Commune Police, and at the same time informed the Forest Protection Department of Area I.
Co To Commune People's Committee proactively mobilized forces in the area to participate in firefighting. However, due to darkness, strong winds, difficult access roads, and thick vegetation, the embers were pushed away, causing many difficulties in zoning for firefighting.
By about 10:30 PM, the forces had basically cordoned off and controlled the fire, preventing it from spreading, and at the same time, the Commune People's Committee directed pumping water into the internal field irrigation canals leading into the forest.
The total area of the fire is estimated at about 4.69 ha, these forest areas have been granted land use right certificates directly to individuals and households for management and production (3-4 households).
The fire caused damage to 3.44 hectares of melaleuca trees (scatter burns, melaleuca trees regenerating to the exploitation cycle 1 hectare, melaleuca trees regenerating 1-2 years old about 2.44 hectares; the remaining area of 1.25 hectares is vegetation, branches remaining after the exploitation process and not yet replanted forest). Fortunately, there were no casualties.
Functional forces have not specifically identified the cause of the forest fire, suspecting that it may be due to people burning straw from neighboring rice production areas, causing embers to spread.
When the fire occurred, more than 140 people from many forces participated in firefighting such as police, military, Forest Protection Department Area I, An Giang Forest Management Board - Area II, Party Committee, Co To Commune People's Committee; Forest Protection Department; Household owners with forests, people living around the forest. Officers and soldiers took the lead in firefighting, organizing to open firebreaks, cordon off areas, preventing fire from spreading to neighboring forest areas.
With a spirit of urgency and determination, functional forces stayed up all night, coordinating to effectively operate vehicles such as pumps, fire extinguishers and handicrafts to control the fire.
The Commune People's Committee directed the Commune Police to coordinate with the Forest Protection Department of Area I to inspect the scene, continue to verify the cause of the fire, consolidate dossiers, evidence, and exhibits in accordance with legal regulations. Strictly handle violators according to the provisions of law on forestry and forest fire prevention and fighting; in case of sufficient elements constituting administrative or criminal violations, transfer the dossier to competent authorities for consideration and handling according to regulations.
