Specifically, since the two-tier local government model began operation, the coordination between forest protection forces and grassroots-level Party Committees and authorities has grown increasingly close. This synergy has significantly enhanced the efficiency of forest management and narrowed the risks of forest fires within the region.

The Mường Nhé Forest Protection Unit is assigned to manage and protect forests across four communes, including Nậm Kè, Mường Toong, Mường Nhé, and Sín Thầu, covering a total natural area of 146,192.93 hectares. By 2025, the forested land reached 82,958.93 hectares, resulting in a forest cover rate of 56.75%. However, because many residents still rely on upland farming and continue the widespread practice of using wood for housing and firewood for fuel, management and fire prevention tasks remain complex.

At the start of the dry season, the Mường Nhé Forest Protection Unit directed its officials to proactively collaborate with relevant departments to advise commune People’s Committees on issuing guidance documents. Nguyễn Đình Cương, head of the Mường Nhé Forest Protection Unit, affirmed that close coordination with local authorities is the vital factor in fulfilling these duties. In the first quarter of 2026, the unit coordinated 93 patrols involving 605 participants, which allowed for the timely detection and prevention of potential forestry law violations. Thanks to these synchronized measures, no forest fires occurred in the unit’s assigned area during the first three months of the year.

Effective coordination is also evident in other parts of the province, such as the Na Sang Forest Protection Unit, which has directed its officials to strengthen their support for forest protection groups and owners while intensifying community outreach. In the first quarter of 2026, the Na Sang unit organized 48 dissemination sessions regarding forest management and protection, including five direct sessions involving 678 participants.

Specifically, Na Sang commune held one session with 19 people who signed protection commitments, Mường Pồn commune organized three sessions for 627 residents, and Nậm Nèn commune held one session for 32 people. Additionally, the unit conducted 67 radio broadcasts totaling 57.1 hours over village loudspeaker systems to communicate forestry laws and safety techniques for clearing fields with fire.

Nguyễn Văn Lương, Chairman of the Mường Pồn commune People’s Committee, noted that since the two-tier government model began operating, the locality has prioritized forest protection and development. The local government consistently cooperates with forest protection forces to organize propaganda sessions and encourage residents to sign protection commitments while increasing inspections in high-risk areas. Similarly, Lường Văn Toàn, the head of the Na Sang Forest Protection Unit, stated that the unit has reached agreements with commune People’s Committees to build specific coordination plans. These plans involve regular inspections of key areas prone to deforestation or fires and providing residents with technical guidance on safe burning practices to prevent fires from spreading into the forest.

Since the beginning of the year, complex weather patterns have posed a high risk of forest fires throughout the province. Monitoring systems using satellite imagery from the Department of Forestry and the Forest Protection Department detected over 400 suspected fire points across the province. In response, the provincial Forest Protection Department directed its units to verify these locations on the ground, revealing that most were instances of residents clearing vegetation for upland farming. This close partnership with grassroots-level authorities has improved the effectiveness of forestry law enforcement and fostered community consensus.

As a result, 6,957 individuals signed forest protection commitments in the first quarter of 2026. Looking ahead, the challenges of climate change and livelihood pressures in highland areas make the continued elevation of the role of local governments essential. When the entire political system and the public work together, forest protection becomes more effective, preserving ecosystems and driving local socio-economic growth.