Hue City Battles Multiple Forest Fires Amidst Scorching Heat and Strong Winds

Hue City in central Vietnam is facing a severe situation with multiple forest fires breaking out due to record-breaking heat and strong winds. On August 26th, a large fire occurred in the An Cựu ward, burning approximately 0.31 hectares of special-use pine forest. Over 150 personnel, including forest rangers, police, military, firefighters, local authorities, and forest owners, were mobilized to the scene. The fire was extinguished within about 40 minutes, and cooling operations continued to prevent reignition. According to Mrs. Hoàng Thị Như Thanh, Chairwoman of the An Cựu Ward People's Committee, eleven fires of varying sizes occurred on August 26th alone in forest areas interspersed with tombs and mausoleums. The Hue City Forest Ranger Department reported that a total of 20 fire points/incidents were recorded across the city on the same day, primarily in cemetery areas, near residences, and along forest edges. In Hưng Lộc xã, a fire in post-logging undergrowth near graves spread over about 0.3 hectares, requiring the mobilization of about 20 people for suppression. Lê Ngọc Tuấn, Head of the Hue City Forest Ranger Department, emphasized that early detection is the most crucial aspect of forest fire prevention. So far this year, Hue City has recorded over 30 hectares of forest and undergrowth fires, causing damage to planted forests. More than 77,000 out of the city's over 100,000 hectares of planted forests are identified as having a high risk of fire during the hot season. Authorities are implementing the 'four-on-site' principle (on-site command, personnel, logistics, and supplies) and strengthening preventive measures. With the prevailing hot, dry weather, strong southwesterly winds, and dry undergrowth, the risk of fires escalating into large incidents remains high. The public is urged to minimize fire use, especially in cemetery areas near forests, to thoroughly extinguish incense and offerings before leaving, and to avoid discarding cigarette butts or embers in dry grass. Protecting forest resources, habitats, and community safety is presented as a shared responsibility. Notably, at least 13 out of the 20 fire incidents were related to cemetery and tomb areas. Some fires affected planted forests, regenerating trees, or scattered vegetation.