Vietnam’s Ca Mau builds firebreaks to prevent wildfires in dry season
Monday, February 24, 2025, 18:31 GMT+7
As dry conditions intensify in Ca Mau Province, southern Vietnam, local authorities and residents have taken proactive measures to prevent wildfires, including the construction of over 330 kilometers of green firebreaks and the clearing of waterways.
Le Van Hai, head of the provincial Forest Protection Department, confirmed on Sunday that wildfire prevention training sessions had been completed and firefighting equipment is ready for deployment.
The construction of green firebreaks, created by clearing land and planting fire-resistant trees like bananas and fruit-bearing plants, has also been successfully implemented.
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| The management authority of U Minh Ha National Park in Ca Mau Province, southern Vietnam has put into operation a camera system installed at a height of 26 meters to scan for heat and capture images with a visibility range of up to 5km, covering approximately 2,500 hectares of forest to detect smoke trails and issue alerts. Photo: Thanh Huyen / Tuoi Tre |
Ca Mau has over 143,600 hectares of forest land, of which approximately 45,000 hectares -- including U Minh Ha National Park and forests on Khoai Island and Chuoi Island -- is identified as high-risk zones this dry season.
To strengthen fire response efforts, authorities have mapped high-risk zones, access routes, nearby water sources, and firefighting logistics, ensuring quick and effective emergency response.
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| Authorities regularly inspect firefighting equipment for forest fire prevention. Photo: Thanh Huyen / Tuoi Tre |
The southernmost province has 65 firefighting teams with 470 personnel on standby to tackle potential blazes.
In the forest at U Minh Ha National Park, 25 water control gates have been closed, and over 70 dams have been reinforced to retain water for firefighting.
Besides, 79 fire watchtowers have been repaired and reinforced to improve early detection.
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| Every day, forest rangers climb fire lookout towers, tens of meters high, to monitor and detect wildfires early. Photo: Thanh Huyen / Tuoi Tre |
Firefighting resources in this Mekong Delta province also include 71 communication devices to coordinate emergency response, 98 motorized boats and 126 water pumps for fire suppression, and 53,000 meters of hoses and fire-resistant pipes for rapid water deployment.
Authorities have secured commitments from 5,500 households in buffer zones, ensuring they will not encroach on forest land during the dry season.
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| Locals frequently navigate through the forest to inspect and clear underbrush, creating green firebreaks. Photo: Thanh Huyen / Tuoi Tre |
Residents are also prepared to assist in fire monitoring and emergency response.
To further reduce fire hazards, officials have urged locals to clear brush and remove flammable materials from their land; maintain firebreaks by planting trees that help slow fire spread; and keep water reserves in ponds and canals for emergency use.
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