Tuần Giáo district has more than 46,000 hectares of forested land, including over 45,000 hectares of natural forest, with a forest coverage rate of 41.1%. Due to its mountainous and rugged terrain, sparsely populated settlements, and harsh, fire-prone climate during the dry season, implementing annual forest fire prevention measures presents significant challenges. However, with the active participation of various agencies and organizations, Tuần Giáo district has strengthened its forest fire prevention efforts. Since the beginning of the dry season, no forest fires have been reported in the district.

Nguyễn Thị Hà Thu, Head of the Tuần Giáo district’s Forest Protection Division, stated: “To effectively prevent and control forest fires while managing and protecting forests, our department has consistently implemented comprehensive solutions each year. These include reorganizing fire prevention and response teams at district, commune, village, and household levels. Currently, Tuần Giáo has one district-level Forest Fire Prevention and Control Steering Committee, 19 commune-level command committees, and 177 village-level fire prevention teams”.

The district’s Forest Protection Division is equipped with specialized fire prevention and firefighting tools, including one water pump, one water sprayer, three leaf blowers, five chainsaws, and twelve handheld loudspeakers. Additionally, authorities have organized public pledges prohibiting land clearing in forested areas and the use of fire in forests during the dry season. Local forest rangers regularly inspect high-risk areas, conduct forest sanitation, and create firebreaks for fire prevention and control.

Chiềng Sinh commune is among the areas with a large forested area, covering over 1,000 hectares, with a forest coverage rate of 58.03%. Lường Văn Hải, Vice Chairman of the Chiềng Sinh commune People’s Committee, shared: “As we are in the peak of the dry season, the local government is actively working with forest rangers and forest management boards to organize household group commitments to protect forests. Additionally, we distribute leaflets and raise public awareness about forest protection laws to enhance people’s sense of responsibility in preventing and controlling forest fires. The commune also collaborates with villages to organize forest sanitation and create firebreak to reduce fire risks.”

Currently, Chiềng Sinh commune has six community groups and seven households benefiting from the  payment for forest environmental service policy. Cà Văn Xuân, a forest ranger in Chiềng Sinh Commune, noted: “Thanks to financial benefits from forest environmental services, local people enjoy stable incomes. As their livelihoods improve, so does their awareness and responsibility in forest management and protection. Under the “Four On-the-Spot” principle, the commune prioritizes forming teams to participate in forest fire prevention and control at the village level”.

To date, Chiềng Sinh commune has established seven fire response teams with 67 members ready to act in case of forest fires. Local forest rangers continuously monitor forest conditions, update forest dynamics, and oversee management activities. They also instruct village-based teams to inspect high-risk areas and educate residents about fire hazards and prevention measures. Thanks to these efforts, Chiềng Sinh commune has had no forest fires or forest management violations for many years.

With the dry season expected to last until the end of April, the risk of forest fires remains high. Proactive forest fire prevention requires coordinated efforts from authorities, forest owners, and local communities, following the principle of prioritizing prevention, ensuring timely and effective firefighting, and minimizing forest fire incidents and damage.