Over 600 people team up to  control fire in Oudomxay Protected Area 

More than 600 soldiers, police personnel, officials and local residents in Xay district of Oudomxay province teamed up last weekend to control a forest fire in the Phouhiphi Protected Area that devastated 10,000 hectares of forest.

The team was led by Oudomxay's Governor, Dr Khamphanh Pheuyavong. The Director of the Agriculture and Forestry Office, Mr Sivisai Bounsavath, reported that the fire destroyed more than 10,000 hectares with trees around six villages since mid-March.
On March 29, authorities were able to bring the fire under control with the help of the soldiers, police personnel, officials and local residents who put in extensive efforts, he said. 
The forest burnt very quickly because mostly of vegetation consisted of bamboo trees. The authorities are currently conducting surveillance after controlling the blaze because many areas are very dry and a fire could occur again.
The authorities believe the fire was deliberately lit and caused due to the destructive motives of some local people, who went into the protected areas to hunt animals.
The Phouhiphi Protected Area is part of the Conservation Forest in Xay district of Oudomxay. It lies about 25km from the provincial capital and is surrounded by mountains and has an abundance of flora, fauna, and rivers.
It spans more than 19,700 hectares and crosses 15 villages in Xay district.  
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, which is in-charge of forest fire management, has announced that everyone should take preventive action against fires, especially in the dry season. The ministry also wants to mandate provincial authorities to promote fire prevention strategies among local communities, especially those living near wooded areas.  
The government is on a bush fire alert as temperatures rise and the country’s forests become drier.
Forest fires occur regularly in Laos, particularly at this time of the year, when timber is dry and many farmers resort to slash and burn cultivation to grow wet season crops.
The 20 National Protected Areas of Laos cover 14 percent of the country. Dong Natad and Dong Phou Vieng National Protected Areas are located in Savannakhet province, while the Phou Khao Khuay National Protected Area is in Vientiane. The Nam Ha National Protected Area is in Luang Namtha province and the Phou Daen Din National Protected Area in Phongsaly. The Phou Hin Poun National Protected Area is in Khammuan province and the Xe Pian National Protected Area is in Champassak province.  
These National Protected Areas contain some of the country’s most unique and diverse plants and animals. Many of them also offer the best environments for adventure activities such as trekking, rafting and camping.

By Phomphong Laoin
(Latest Update April 1, 2020)