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Up in flames: Fire has destroyed 200ha of cajeput forest in the southernmost province of Ca Mau. Efforts to control the blaze were hampered by a lack of water caused by a prolonged drought in the region. — VNS Photo

CA MAU — A fierce fire destroyed 200ha of cajeput forest in the southernmost province of Ca Mau earlier this week, and the region’s prolonged drought is being held partly to blame for the disaster.

While firemen from across the province were immediately dispatched to the site in U Minh District, a lack of water resources in the drought-stricken region meant that the fire was not put under control until late Thursday afternoon – two days after flames were first noticed.

Some 600 people are still working to stamp out the last smouldering flames, which have affected a total of 1,000ha of cajeput in Khanh An Commune. The exact cause of the fire remains undetermined.

Coincidentally, the fire occurred whilst the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Huy Ngo, was drafting legislation that would help fight against the prolonged drought and the possibility of forest fires.

At Thursday’s inter-ministerial meeting, Ngo said that forestry divisions across the country could request help from a variety of sources to fight fires. This would include calling on military and police forces.

In addition, forestry divisions will be able to use water from the Electricity of Viet Nam corporation’s reservoirs to combat forest fires in the country. Viet Nam’s forest cover is estimated at approximately 11 million ha.

While financial losses from the Ca Mau fire have not yet been assessed, a Government aid package of food and clothing is being proposed for the entire Tay Nguyen (Central Highlands) region. The package will be worth VND38 billion. — VNS

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