Urgent measures to prevent forest fires from spreading in Hoang Lien National Park

Directly directing at the scene, Chairman of Lao Cai Provincial People's Committee Trinh Xuan Truong requested Sa Pa Town People's Committee to coordinate with functional forces to continue implementing the fire fighting plan according to the "4 on-site" motto; carefully analyze the scene, actively deploy the forest fire fighting plan to ensure safety and effectiveness; prepare well the logistics conditions, provide enough food and drinking water for the forces directly participating in forest fire fighting in the field.

The complex terrain, the fire area with many cliffs, high mountains, difficult roads and strong winds caused many difficulties in arranging forces to approach the fire and extinguish the fire. By 2:00 p.m. on February 20, according to preliminary statistics, the fire area was about 25 hectares (mainly poor forest, cogon grass, reeds and ground cover).

Because the fire in the Na Hang area towards Den Thang village continued to spread, at noon of the same day, Lao Cai province mobilized an additional force of nearly 840 people (of which 640 were direct forces) to participate in fighting the forest fire at Hoang Lien National Park.

To be proactive in fire fighting and minimize damage caused by forest fires, on February 20, the Chairman of Lao Cai Provincial People's Committee issued an urgent document requesting the People's Committee of Sa Pa town to urgently mobilize maximum forces, means, tools, food and provisions to promptly and thoroughly extinguish fires at Hoang Lien National Park; at the same time, ensure absolute safety for people participating in fire fighting. If necessary, the locality shall report to the Provincial People's Committee to mobilize forces from other departments, branches and localities for support.

Sa Pa continues to closely monitor the use of fire for clearing fields and agricultural production. When forest fire warnings are at level IV and V, absolutely do not use fire to treat vegetation or clear fields in and near forests.

The Chairman of Lao Cai Provincial People's Committee requested other localities in the province to proactively respond to and fight forest fires in all situations; to be responsible before the Provincial Party Committee and Provincial People's Committee when forest fires occur without timely and thorough handling measures. Localities arrange forces to be on duty 24/24 hours (when forest fire forecast is at level IV, level V) every day of the week (including Saturday, Sunday, holidays) at headquarters, checkpoints/stations, and strictly control people entering and leaving the forest, especially in key areas that are prone to fires.

Forest owners are responsible before the law when forest fires occur without timely handling measures or violate regulations on forest fire prevention and fighting as prescribed.

Previously, at about 1:40 p.m. on February 19, 2024, Hoang Lien National Park received a report from Forest Ranger Station No. 4, Ta Van Commune People's Committee about a forest fire in Sub-area 286, Na Hang area, Seo My Ty village, Ta Van commune (about 5 km from Forest Ranger Station No. 4, Seo My Ty village).

Immediately after receiving the information, Sa Pa town mobilized nearly 400 people to approach the fire to extinguish it, and to prevent it from spreading to the old forest area. However, because the fire was located at an altitude of about 1,900m above sea level, the thick layer of vegetation, strong winds and constant changes in direction made firefighting difficult, the fire quickly spread.

According to information from the Lao Cai Province Hydrometeorological Station, on February 20, the low pressure area in the West continued to develop and expand to the Southeast before stabilizing. Temperatures in the province continued to increase, while the hot, dry wind from O Quy Ho in Sa Pa became stronger. Average wind speed was level 2-3, gusting to level 4. Open areas were level 3-4, gusting to level 5, and average daily humidity was between 45-50%.

This wind is likely to last until February 23.