Directive No. 19/1998/CT-TTg on urgent measures for forest fire prevention and extinguishing

DIRECTIVE

OF THE PRIME MINISTER

On emergency measures for forest fire prevention and extinguishing

This year's weather has many severe fluctuations, and due to the consequences of slash-and-burn practices over many years, coupled with rampant deforestation, the ecological environment has been severely destroyed. Severe droughts may continue to spread widely in key areas, especially in central Vietnam, Southeastern provinces, and the Mekong Delta region.

Although localities have made many proactive efforts to organize forest fire prevention and extinguishing, up to now, the situation of forest fires continues to occur, and the risk of large-scale fires has not yet been eliminated.

To further strengthen forest fire prevention and extinguishing work, and minimize the area of forests affected by fires, the Prime Minister issues the following directive:

1. The Chairpersons of People's Committees at all levels (province, city, district, commune) shall be responsible for directing, urging, organizing forces, mobilizing available means, and applying technological advancements to forest fire prevention and extinguishing within their jurisdiction, determined to protect the forests and prevent forest fires to the lowest possible extent; particularly focusing on protecting special-use forests, upstream protective forests, and other important forest areas...

Direct the dissemination and promotion of state policies on forest fire prevention and extinguishing measures to every cadre, party member, and citizen at the commune, ward, village, and hamlet level; mobilize each household, commune, ward, village, and hamlet to commit to not allowing forest fires within their management scope, promptly identifying and preventing actions that could cause forest fires.

Communes must organize civilian defense teams as the core force for local firefighting, regularly patrol and inspect to protect various types of forests within their jurisdiction, train firefighting plans; when forest fires occur, they must proactively organize on-site rescue before external assistance arrives.

AT In weak and key areas prone to forest fires, each commune should contract one person to handle specialized forest protection work during the peak dry season months.

2. Direct the Forest Protection Force, Military, Police forces to implement specific solutions for cases causing forest fires:

For ethnic minorities residing locally and those who have moved to new economic zones, provinces must plan support for living conditions so that these groups do not burn forests for shifting cultivation; for stable production areas already under shifting cultivation, inspections, guidance, and specific regulations regarding burning and production must be established to ensure no forest fires occur.

For households migrating freely, if they擅自开垦森林用地建房或种植，且这些地方不在居民区规划或生产用地规划范围内，则必须坚决将其移出森林，并安排到已规划的区域，组织成行政单位，为居民提供居住和生产用地。

Provinces receiving free migrants must establish lists to report to the Prime Minister and inform the Chairpersons of People's Committees in the sending provinces to take responsibility for dispatching provincial leaders to the receiving areas, providing financial support and coordinating to stabilize production and living conditions for the residents.

In cases where individuals intentionally clear forests for coffee, rubber, cashew trees, or short-term crops, such activities must be resolutely stopped, and those who have cleared the forests must replant them on the cleared areas.

Coordinate the Forest Protection Force, Military, and Police forces in the province to strictly handle cases causing forest fires, intensify crackdowns on illegal loggers.

3. AT At the provincial and district levels, it is necessary to strengthen and reinforce professional firefighting forces, while organizing military and police forces to participate in firefighting rescue operations, capable of providing mobile support to grassroots firefighting forces when forest fires occur.

4. To effectively implement the above emergency measures for forest fire prevention and extinguishing, all levels and sectors must urgently address the following matters:

The Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Public Security must assign tasks and direct military and police units to organize mobile forces, train firefighting plans, participate in patrols, inspections, and standby, and provide rescue when forest fires occur.

The Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, must consider stipulating allowances for contracted staff working on forest protection at the commune level during the peak dry season months.

Those who have made contributions and suffered injuries or deaths while engaged in firefighting, apprehending illegal loggers to protect forests shall be appropriately rewarded, and the Government is requested to establish suitable policies and benefits.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Planning and Investment, must budget funds for forest fire prevention and extinguishing, to be submitted to the Prime Minister for approval.

Funds for forest fire prevention and extinguishing must be allocated for patrolling, firefighting, purchasing supplies, and equipment necessary for firefighting. Particularly in provinces prone to severe droughts and major fires, chemical substances and firefighting equipment must be stockpiled to proactively respond to serious forest fire incidents.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development must study and submit to the Prime Minister for consideration the issuance of regulations and policies on forest fire prevention and extinguishing to ensure effective implementation of forest protection work./.