Directive No. 270/CT-TTg on implementing urgent measures for forest fire prevention and control

DIRECTIVE

On the implementation of urgent measures

for forest fire prevention and extinguishing

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In 2009, localities continued to proactively implement forest fire prevention and extinguishing work; the principle of four-in-place was implemented effectively with timely detection and extinguishing of forest fires. Many forest fire prevention and extinguishing solutions were synchronously deployed from central to local levels; local authorities and forest management units actively organized the implementation of forest fire prevention and extinguishing measures and plans; many forest fires were detected early and extinguished promptly, thus not causing significant damage to forest resources.

From the beginning of 2010 to now, due to the impact of global climate change, prolonged dryness has occurred in many localities; the average air temperature is much higher than recent years, posing a high risk of forest fires. Forest fires have already occurred in many places. Notably, a large-scale forest fire occurred at Hoang Lien National Park in Lao Cai Province on February 8, 2010. In light of this situation, the Prime Minister requests ministries, sectors, provincial People's Committees under the Central Government to immediately implement forest fire prevention and extinguishing measures, specifically:

1. The Chairpersons of Provincial People's Committees under the Central Government shall be responsible for:

a) Directing all levels of People's Committees and competent agencies to fulfill their state management responsibilities regarding forest fire prevention and extinguishing work. If a forest fire occurs in any locality, the primary responsibility lies with the Chairperson of the Provincial People's Committee under the Central Government;

b) Directing and enhancing the effective operation of the Emergency Response Command for Forest Protection and Fire Prevention and Extinguishing; prioritizing forest fire prevention and extinguishing as the main task throughout the dry season;

c) Strengthening propaganda, dissemination, and education on laws related to forest fire prevention and extinguishing and technical measures for forest fire prevention and extinguishing; building mass movements to participate in forest fire prevention and extinguishing in village communities where there are forests;

d) Directing inter-sector forces (Forest Rangers, Police, Military) to review cooperation regulations, organize forces, equipment, and facilities for forest fire prevention and extinguishing to ensure prompt handling of potential forest fire situations according to the principle of four-in-place; regularly issuing warnings about the risk of forest fires during the dry period;

e) Strengthening management of shifting cultivation activities, especially within and near forests. During the peak dry period, clearly defining areas strictly prohibited from burning fields and other fire-related activities in key areas with high fire risks; guiding and strictly managing field burning activities in regions according to planning.

2. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development shall take the lead in coordinating with the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Public Security, and Provincial People's Committees under the Central Government to direct the implementation of the following tasks:

a) Directing and inspecting localities to strictly and fully fulfill their responsibilities regarding forest fire prevention and extinguishing work; directing the construction and effective implementation of forest fire prevention and extinguishing plans in their respective areas; promptly handling forest fire situations according to the principle of four-in-place;

b) Directing the Forest Protection Department to continuously monitor the situation regarding forest fire prevention and extinguishing work; promptly advising and proposing to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to implement policies and solutions for forest fire prevention and extinguishing; monitoring and organizing forest fire forecasts to provide timely information through mass media and on the Forest Protection Department's website to forecast and warn about the risk of forest fires nationwide;

c) Coordinating with inter-sector forces (Police, Military) to review cooperation regulations, organize forces, equipment, and facilities for forest fire prevention and extinguishing to ensure prompt handling of potential large-scale forest fire situations.

d) Promptly recognizing and rewarding organizations and individuals with outstanding achievements in forest fire prevention and extinguishing work; while strictly punishing according to the law those who cause forest fires.

3. The Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Defense shall implement cooperation regulations in forest protection and forest fire prevention and extinguishing work; directing subordinate units to strengthen close cooperation with Forest Ranger forces and local authorities to organize forces, equipment, and facilities for forest fire prevention and extinguishing to ensure prompt handling of forest fire situations; being ready to mobilize forces and equipment to support localities in extinguishing forest fires.

4. Television stations and Vietnam Radio shall be responsible for effectively implementing propaganda and mobilizing the people to strictly follow national regulations on forest fire prevention and extinguishing; promptly providing information about warnings and forecasts of forest fires during the peak period.

5. The Ministries of Planning and Investment, Finance shall ensure funding for relevant sectors and localities to implement this Directive.

6. Ministers of the Ministries of Agriculture and Rural Development, Planning and Investment, Finance, Defense, Public Security, Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs shall, within their functions, plan and direct Provincial People's Committees under the Central Government to implement the contents of this Directive./.