Despite extreme heat and strong southwesterly winds, the forces remained on the scene, creating firebreaks, isolating affected areas, and protecting forests and property.
The fire broke out on the afternoon of June 21 in a pine forest area in hamlet 1, Thien Nhan commune. Prolonged hot weather, high temperatures, low humidity, and strong winds caused the flames to spread rapidly, making firefighting efforts particularly challenging.
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The Nghe An provincial armed forces deploy multiple teams and flexible measures to contain the forest fire. |
Throughout the night, more than 500 personnel from various forces and local communities were deployed in multiple teams. They cleared vegetation, established firebreaks, and used available firefighting equipment to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby forest areas.
On the morning of June 22, Vo Trong Hai, Deputy Secretary of the Nghe An Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee, visited the scene to direct firefighting operations. He instructed all forces to concentrate resources, implement comprehensive measures, ensure public safety, and protect forest areas.
He also called for additional manpower and equipment, urging local authorities to effectively implement the “four-on-the-spot” principle and mobilize all available resources to extinguish the fire as quickly as possible. Support from Division 324 of Military Region 4 would be requested.
To reinforce operations, the Nghe An Provincial Military Command deployed an additional 60 officers and soldiers from Regiment 764. According to Colonel Dinh Xuan Lam, Commanding Officer of Regiment 764, the unit conducted reconnaissance, coordinated closely with other forces, maneuvered flexibly between affected areas, and combined firebreak construction, vegetation clearance, and direct firefighting efforts to prevent further spread of the blaze.
Colonel Hoang Hai Son, Second-in-Command and Chief of Staff of Defensive Area Command Region 1-Van An under the Nghe An Provincial Military Command, said forces from surrounding communes were immediately mobilized and reinforced after the fire was reported. Coordination among participating units remained effective.
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Officers and soldiers work tirelessly to extinguish the blaze amidst extreme heat. |
In response to the evolving situation, the provincial armed forces, together with forest rangers and local forces, implemented multiple flexible response plans. While some teams focused on creating firebreaks and isolating affected areas, others directly attacked fire hotspots to prevent the flames from reaching additional forest and residential areas.
According to Nguyen Thi Thanh Binh, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Van An Commune Party Committee, more than 1,000 people, including local residents and members of the armed forces, worked in close coordination, demonstrating strong responsibility and military-civilian solidarity in protecting forest resources.
Despite temperatures approaching 40°C, officers and soldiers remained at the forefront of firefighting efforts on the slopes of Thien Nhan. Day and night, they cleared vegetation, opened firebreaks, and advanced toward active fire zones, determined to protect the forest and ensure the safety of local communities.
By the evening of June 22, major fire hotspots had largely been brought under control. However, strong winds and high temperatures continued to pose a risk of reignition. Firefighting forces therefore stayed on-site, expanding firebreaks, conducting patrols, and eliminating remaining hotspots.
Translated by Chung Anh