The risk of forest fires in Dong Nai has reached the fifth and highest level since there has been no rain for a long time and the weather is hot and dry, according to the province’s Forest Protection Sub-department.

The south-eastern province of Dong Nai has sounded the highest level of forest fire warning in many places. 

In Tan Phu and Thong Nhat districts, they are at levels three and four while in Bien Hoa City, towns and other districts, it is at the highest level.

The sub-department has called on relevant agencies and forest caretakers to implement all recommended measures to prevent forest fires.

They have made firebreaks in forests and cut grass and other vegetation in high-risk places.

They have also increased patrols and are keeping watch round the clock from watchtowers.

Forest rangers are conducting fire drills and fining people who violate fire safety regulations.  

Hoang Dinh Long, director of the Xuan Loc District Protective Forest management board, said vegetation has been cut to prevent fires and the illegal entry of people to harvest honey and poach has been checked.

The province had 283 forest fires in January, 896 last month and 708 forest fires in the first 12 days of this month, according to the sub-department.

It has more than 171,870ha of forests, nearly 30 per cent of its area and the largest in the south-east, comprising 123,400ha of natural forests and 48,470ha of planted forests.

The Cat Tien National Park in Tan Phu District and the Dong Nai Culture and Nature Reserve in Vinh Cuu District are the province’s two most famous natural forests. — VNS