On 25/6, the Prime Minister issued a dispatch calling for urgent forest fire prevention and control measures across the country. This directive comes as Vietnam faces prolonged intense heat, which has already led to 25 forest fires since early June, damaging over 90 hectares of forest. These incidents have occurred in Ninh Binh, Phu Tho, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Tri, Hue City, Quang Ngai, and other localities.

Currently, many areas in the North and Central regions are under a level V forest fire warning, indicating extreme danger. A recent example is the forest fire in Thien Nhan and Van An communes (formerly Khanh Son commune, Nam Dan district, Nghe An province) from 21-23/6, which required local authorities to mobilize nearly 1.000 people for firefighting efforts.

The emergence of El Nino in mid-June has heightened the risk of extreme heat, drought, and widespread water shortages. Nationwide, average temperatures are forecast to be 0,5 to 1,5 degrees Celsius higher than multi-year averages, with rainfall potentially 10 to 25% lower. Some areas from Thanh Hoa to Quang Ngai may soon experience temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius. The North and Central regions will continue to face widespread heatwaves, including intense heat (37-39 degrees Celsius) and potentially extremely intense heat (above 39 degrees Celsius), significantly increasing the risk of forest fires and threatening natural resources, the environment, and public safety.

Forest rangers from Region 2 fight a forest fire in the Central region. Photo: Department of Forestry and Forest Protection

In response to this critical situation, the Prime Minister has mandated that chairpersons of provincial and city People's Committees assume full responsibility for forest fire prevention and control within their jurisdictions. They are urged to avoid complacency, negligence, or a lack of vigilance.

Local authorities must organize 24-hour on-duty forces and intensify inspection and supervision of forest fire prevention and control efforts. They are also required to strictly control the use of fire in and near forests, particularly swidden cultivation (slash-and-burn) and vegetation clearing. Furthermore, localities need to review and refine response plans for each forest fire level, ensuring early detection and timely handling of fire spots to prevent major fires. Proactive allocation of funds, vehicles, and supplies for these efforts is crucial, along with preparing plans to evacuate residents from dangerous areas when necessary, safeguarding lives and property.

Several ministries have also received specific assignments. The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment is tasked with closely monitoring weather developments, maintaining a nationwide forest fire risk forecasting and warning system, and applying technology for early fire spot detection. It must be ready to support localities with personnel, equipment, and command operations during large forest fires. The Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Public Security are to proactively develop forest fire support plans, ready to mobilize forces and resources when requested. The Ministry of Industry and Trade, in collaboration with the electricity sector, must ensure the safety of the national power grid, preventing incidents caused by forest fires from affecting power transmission and supply.

The Prime Minister also instructed localities to investigate the causes of forest fires, strictly penalize violating organizations and individuals, and consider the accountability of leaders if serious forest fires occur in their areas.

Gia Chinh