Fire damaged a 5ha log farm near Ba Na – Nui Chua Nature Reserve in Hoa Vang District, 25km away from the central city’s centre yesterday, the city’s forest management department said.

Forest officials said the fire burned out early this morning.

Firemen and fire engines dispatched to the scene stamped out the fire within five hours, but the forest was completely destroyed.

The department said local residents often used fire to clear vegetation on their log farms, and the fire would then spread.

The forestry department and relevant agencies intend to ban all use of fire, even for clearing fields in the city, because any careless action by the locals could trigger a major blaze.

Department officials have set the forest fire alert at level 4 (near the most dangerous level) as hot weather has hit the city and central region.

All firemen and fire-fighting vehicles and equipment have been put on alert during the dry season.

The drought in the area is expected to become more severe, as forecasts have ruled out rain for the next few weeks.

The city has a total forest coverage area of 67,148ha, of which more than 43,000ha is marked for special use, protected forests and two nature reserves – Ba Na – Nui Chua and Son Tra.

In 2012, a serious fire destroyed 100ha of forest land on Hai Van Mountain Pass in Lien Chieu District.

VNS