Every resident is a "soldier" protecting the forest

In Van Han Commune, forest fire prevention and fighting is receiving special attention from many forest-growing households. The family of Mr. Hoang Van Chung, of Cau Mai Hamlet, is currently growing 3 hectares of forest under the FSC sustainable forest management standard. Recognizing that protecting the forest is not only about protecting the family's income but also a responsibility toward the environment and the community, in addition to strictly complying with regulations on the use of fire in the forest, his family also proactively inspects forest conditions, monitors forest fire warning information, and coordinates with forest ranger forces in patrolling and protecting the forest.

According to Mr. Hoang Van Chung, even a moment of carelessness in clearing vegetation or careless use of fire can lead to unpredictable consequences. Therefore, his family regularly clears undergrowth, creates firebreaks, and steps up patrols and inspections of the forest area under their management in order to minimize the risk of forest fire.

Sharing this same awareness, the family of Mr. Nong Quang Duy, of Lang Giai Hamlet, La Hien Commune, is managing nearly 10 hectares of forest planted under the FSC standard. Mr. Duy said that, in addition to regularly monitoring forest fire warning information, his family also proactively clears undergrowth, inspects high-risk areas, and reminds workers to strictly comply with regulations on the use of fire in the forest. According to him, protecting the forest from fire risk not only protects the family's assets but also helps preserve the shared ecological environment.

Reality shows that the effectiveness of forest fire prevention and fighting is measured not only by the ability to respond once a fire breaks out, but above all by preventing the risk from the very outset. Properly clearing firebreaks using correct techniques, promptly inspecting forest conditions on hot days, and regularly reminding people about fire-use behavior... can help avoid major losses for the entire community. Therefore, when each forest-growing household proactively becomes a "forest guardian" over its assigned area, forest protection gains a more solid foundation from the grassroots level.

Mr. Hoang Van Chung (right), of Cau Mai Hamlet, Van Han Commune, clearing undergrowth and creating a firebreak together with forest ranger officers to reduce forest fire risk during the hot season

To improve the effectiveness of forest fire prevention and fighting, forest ranger forces always stay close to the grassroots level, strengthening coordination with local authorities and residents. Comrade Tran Quoc Phong, Forest Ranger of Forest Ranger Station No. 16, said: The unit regularly coordinates with communes to organize communication activities and disseminate legal regulations on forest protection and forest fire prevention and fighting; and to guide residents on fire prevention measures and skills for handling situations when forest fires occur. At the same time, forest ranger forces step up inspections of key areas, promptly detecting and preventing behavior that poses a risk of causing forest fires.

Promoting combined strength in forest fire prevention and fighting

In La Hien Commune, forest fire prevention and fighting work always receives close attention and direction from the Party committee and local authorities. Comrade Tran Duc Tu, Vice Chairman of the Commune People's Committee, said: The locality has developed a specific forest fire prevention and fighting plan, with clear task assignments for each force. Police, military, forest ranger, and grassroots forest protection teams maintain duty shifts and regularly coordinate patrols and inspections in high-risk areas. At the same time, the Commune is also stepping up communication efforts to raise residents' sense of responsibility in forest protection work.

Forest ranger, police, militia and local forces coordinating patrols and inspections in high-risk forest fire areas in La Hien Commune

Implementing the direction of higher authorities, Thai Nguyen Provincial Forest Protection Department has requested affiliated units to proactively roll out forest fire prevention and fighting plans suited to each locality. The work of reviewing and supplementing forest fire-fighting plans under the "four on-the-spot" motto is carried out regularly to ensure readiness to respond to all situations. Thanks to the synchronous involvement of all levels, sectors, localities and residents, forest fire prevention and fighting work in the Province has, for the past time, achieved many positive results, helping to minimize the number of forest fires and the damage they cause.

According to Mr. Nguyen Hoang Tung, Deputy Director of the Thai Nguyen Provincial Forest Protection Department, for the past time, forest ranger forces across the Province have proactively rolled out many solutions to improve the effectiveness of forest fire prevention and fighting. These have focused on stepping up patrols and inspections in key areas; closely monitoring the forest fire warning system; and coordinating with local authorities and forest owners to organize fire-prevention duty shifts during prolonged hot weather. At the same time, the Forest Ranger sector has resolutely handled violations of forest fire prevention and fighting regulations to enhance deterrence and prevention. In the coming time, the Provincial Forest Protection Department will continue to strengthen inspection and supervision of the implementation of forest fire prevention and fighting regulations; step up communication efforts; raise community awareness; and promote residents' role and responsibility in forest protection.

Functional forces inspecting forest conditions and reviewing key areas to proactively roll out forest fire prevention and fighting measures

From the realities in Van Han, La Hien, and many other forested localities in the Province, it can be seen that forest fire prevention and fighting is only truly effective when it starts at the grassroots level, from the awareness of each forest owner, and through regular coordination among authorities, forest rangers, police, militia, and residents. Amid extreme weather, prolonged heat, and increasingly unpredictable forest fire risks, protecting the forest is no longer the sole task of forest ranger forces, but a shared responsibility of the entire political system and the community.

When fire prevention becomes a habit, and when every resident understands that protecting the forest also means protecting livelihoods, protecting the living environment, and protecting long-term development resources, the green forests of Thai Nguyen will be more firmly protected. This is also the foundation for the Province to develop sustainable forestry, adapt to climate change, and build a safer, greener living space for today and tomorrow.