Binh Thuan (VNA) – Over 150,000 hectares of forests in the south centralcoastal province of Binh Thuan are now on high alert for fires as it is in thepeak of the dry season, according to the provincial Forestry ManagementDepartment on February 27.

Heat waves put forests in Tuy Phong, Bac Binh,Ham Thuan Nam, Ham Thuan Bac, Ham Tan districts, La Gi township, Phan ThietCity in a high fire alert.

The province, where the lowest rainfall is recorded in the country, has over370 hectares of forests.

According to the agency, numerous preventive measures have been taken in eachlocality and by all relevant bodies during the dry season, which begins in November and ends in April every year.

Forest protection teams have been set up at all levels, involving more than1,000 people, while 150 forest rangers have been trained on forest fireprevention.

Besides, numerous works serving forest fire prevention were put into operation,including two fire monitoring towers in nature reserve zones.

Local households living near the Ta Cu nature reserve in Ham Thuan Nam districthave been encouraged to join fire prevention and control.

The Ta Cu nature reserve management unit also joined hands with the Ta Cu cablenetwork and ecotourism zone in protecting the forests.

Communications, supervision and patrol work have been intensified around theclock to prevent forest fires.- VNA