More than 26,200 ha out of the 43,500 ha of forested area in the Mekong Delta province of Ca Mau are facing extremely high risks of wildfire, according to the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

U Minh Ha cajeput forest in Ca Mau province

More specifically, alarms at fourth and fifth levels – the highest in the five-level warning system – have been applied to more than 10,500 ha of forest managed by U Minh Ha company.

Nearly 2,200 ha of forest in the U Minh Ha National Park have been given a fourth-tier warning, while about 570 ha in Hon Khoai and Hon Chuoi islands have been subject to the highest warning level.

Many other forests are also at high risk, including the communes of Nguyen Phich, Khanh An, and Khanh Lam in U Minh district; and the communes of Khanh Binh Tay Bac and Tran Hoi of Le Van Thoi district.

Director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Thanh Trieu said that intense sunlight and strong winds have endangered a large area of forest in U Minh Ha and islands in the province.

In the days ahead, the province is forecast to continue suffering from intense sunshine which runs hand-in-hand with high risks of wildfire, he said, adding that many canals have been exhausted, making it difficult for fire rescue activities.

In that context, the leader of the provincial People’s Committee has asked the Forest Management Sub-Department and localities to apply preventative measures and keep regular watch on high risk areas for timely response.

Furthermore, the province will strengthen communications to encourage locals to engage in wildfire prevention and response activities, while warning communities of the high risks of forest fires and deploying patrol forces to prevent people from entering the forest for illegal hunting activities. –VNA