Kien Giang on high alert for forest fires

(VOV) -Forestry officials in the Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang have taken preemptive measures to prevent forest fires and have placed more than 10,500 ha at a high level of alert.

Much of the region, including, Phu Quoc island, U Minh Thuong, and Long Xuyen Quadrangle, have been mired in drought and the dry weather has created an overload of combustible materials which easily could ignite into flames.

The Kien Giang Forest Ranger Department reported that the prolonged draught in conjunction with a lack of precipitation not only has increased the risk of wild fires to a high level, but has caused a severe shortage of water in reservoirs and other water supply facilities necessary to combat them.

Local authorities and residents are coordinating with relevant agencies to take all precautionary measures available and recue forces have been put on standby around the clock.

Kien Giang province has allocated nearly VND7 billion (around US$350,000) for forest fire prevention and established more than 200 rescue teams with the active participation of over 5,000 local residents.

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