The provincial Management Board of Protection Forests and Special-Use Forests is assigned to manage 32,372.324ha of forest and forestry land (encompassing special-use forests, protection forests, and production forests) across 8 communes: Pú Nhung, Sáng Nhè, Chiềng Sinh, Núa Ngam, Mường Nhà, Mường Phăng, Mường Tùng, and Pa Ham. Identifying the dry season as a pivotal period, right from late September, the Management Board issued implementation plans for forest management and protection (FMP) and forest fire prevention and fighting (FFPF) for the 2026-2027 dry season, while stepping up coordination with local authorities and functional forces.

Trần Xuân Thắng, Director of the provincial Management Board of Protection Forests and Special-Use Forests, stated: “The unit directed specialized divisions and FMP Stations to thoroughly review all high-risk focal areas across the 8 managed communes. On that basis, we updated and refined FFPF decisions and response plans aligned with silvicultural realities in each zone, preventing passivity in all eventualities. To strengthen technology adoption in monitoring and early warning, station cadres are assigned on daily duty to track and update forest fire warning data on the electronic information system at https://v2.pcccr.vn/diem-chay, ensuring the prompt and widespread broadcast of fire-danger rating bulletins to village communities.”

One of the vital factors in mitigating dry-season wildfire risks is forest development and the reduction of combustible fuel accumulation beneath forest canopies. During the first nine months of 2026, the Management Board achieved 100% of its planned targets for tending 317.13ha of transitional planted forests. Concurrently, protecting 33.09ha of fourth-year replacement planted forests and 251.83ha of natural forest regeneration zoning also fulfilled 100% of set plans. Following the approval of technical dossiers and cost estimates for natural regeneration zoning in 2026, the Board instructed local households to concentrate on clearing competing vines and scrub, facilitating sound tree growth.

To heighten community awareness, in the third quarter of 2026 alone, the Board organized 29 communication sessions drawing 2,220 participants, combined with 5 rounds of broadcasting FMP and FFPF outreach pieces over village public address systems. Joint patrolling was maintained regularly; during the third quarter alone, area-assigned public employees coordinated with communities to conduct 1,156 patrol rounds engaging 4,716 participants. Regarding material facilities, the Board instructed FMP stations to proactively inventory and test-run all existing machinery and equipment, accurately identify damaged devices for repair, and maintain reserve stocks of supplies and fuel ready for operational deployment.

Also in 2026, the Management Board executed forest protection contracting agreements linked to payments for forest environmental services (PFES) with 69 communities, 2 organizations, and 18 households. Thanks to transparent PFES policies, the sense of stewardship and connection to forests among villagers has grown markedly.

As one of the communities contracted to protect a large area of 183.78ha, Lường Văn Đại, representative of Phăng village community (Mường Phăng commune), shared: “With the dedicated guidance of area cadres assigned by the Forest Management Board, villagers in Phăng village feel secure and proactive. Prior to entering the dry season, we organized forces to clear underbrush and establish firebreaks along borderline areas. Annual PFES payments not only supplement household earnings, but serve as motivation for the entire village to maintain weekly patrol teams, determined not to let forest fires occur.”

Lò Văn Anh, representative of Che Căn village community (Mường Phăng commune) - the unit contracted to protect 79.9ha of forest - stated: “Under the supervision of Management Board cadres, Che Căn village consolidated its village FFPF shock-force team, fully outfitting members with clearing knives, water containers, and fire-swatters. Villagers regularly remind one another never to use fire carelessly when doing swidden farming. The moment any abnormal sign is detected or a fire danger forecast is announced over the village loudspeaker, the patrol team arrives to handle the situation immediately.”

Proactive, systematic preparation across every stage - from technical infrastructure and operational response plans to the united solidarity of contracted forest owners - provides a solid foundation for the Management Board of Protection Forests and Special-Use Forests of Điện Biên Province to safely preserve the entire assigned forest area.