Forest fire prevention and response training at Xuan Nha Nature Reserve

On September 17–18, 2025, the Management Board of Xuan Nha Nature Reserve, in collaboration with the PanNature, organized a training and field exercise on forest fire prevention and firefighting at Lot 22, Compartment 2, Sub-compartment 1001B, Kho Hong village (Chieng Son commune, Son La province).

The event brought together over 50 participants, including representatives from the forest protection force, police, local militia, border guards, commune authorities, and community forest protection teams from Ban Bun, Ban Lay, Kho Hong, Suoi Quanh, and neighboring villages.

The exercise simulated a forest fire scenario caused by a local resident burning beehives for honey collection without fully extinguishing the fire, which then spread to the forest area managed by Kho Hong village. Upon receiving the alert, various local forces coordinated their response following the “Four-On-The-Spot” principle — command, manpower, equipment, and logistics available on-site. Thanks to quick coordination and effective command, the simulated fire was successfully extinguished within 10 minutes.

This activity is part of a series of initiatives aimed at enhancing local capacity in forest fire prevention and control, particularly in forest areas where the risk of fire increases during the dry season. The combination of training and live drills helped evaluate the effectiveness of coordination among response units — from village and commune levels to the reserve management board — while testing different response measures under real conditions, including early fire detection and mobilization of external support.

Participants were also guided through practical firefighting techniques, such as rapid fire detection, use of basic tools, strategic movement, task division, and communication during operations.

Beyond its technical aspects, the event served as an important reminder of the shared responsibility in protecting forests. It helped strengthen community awareness and preparedness, empowering local residents, officials, and response forces to take a more proactive role in forest fire prevention. Such readiness is essential for protecting natural resources, maintaining forest ecosystems, and safeguarding local livelihoods from the devastating impacts of wildfires.

Some photos from the forest fire prevention and response training: