Category: RFMRC-SEA

ASEAN Forest Fire RFMRC-SEA SOUTHEAST ASIA VIETNAM

Binh Thuan faces high risk of forest fires

Binh Thuan faces a high risk of forest fires

VNA

Binh Thuan (VNA) – Over 150,000 hectares of forests in the south-central coastal province of Binh Thuan are now on high alert for fires as it is in the peak of the dry season, according to the provincial Forestry Management Department 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 Thiet City in a high fire alert.

The province, where the lowest rainfall is recorded in the country, has over 370 hectares of forests.

According to the agency, numerous preventive measures have been taken in each locality 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 than 1,000 people, while 150 forest rangers have been trained on forest fire prevention.

Read more: https://en.vietnamplus.vn/binh-thuan-faces-high-risk-of-forest-fires/127116.vnp

ASEAN Forest Fire Forestry Global RFMRC-SEA

Physics theory explains patterns of deforestation in the tropics

Physics theory explains patterns of deforestation in the tropics

Scientists get a handle on sizes of forest fragments using percolation theory

Predicting rising numbers is usually good news in ecology, but not if they are forest fragments. Current rates of deforestation could cause a 33-fold increase in forest fragments over the next 50 years, shows a study published in Nature.

Deforestation, fuelled by factors including habitat conversion and timber production, causes fragmentation. As large forests are cut into pieces, biodiversity suffers and carbon is also lost. To study patterns of tropical forest fragmentation, scientists at the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (Germany) used remotely-sensed images to map more than 130 million forest fragments across 427 million hectares in the Americas, Asia, Africa and Australia.

They found that fragment sizes in three continents followed similar frequency distributions. The number of forest fragments smaller than 10,000 hectares, for instance, is similar in Central and South America (11.2 %), Africa (9.9 %) and south-east Asia (9.2 %).

“This is surprising because land use noticeably differs from continent to continent,” said mathematician and lead author Franziska Taubert in a press release. While habitat conversion is what plagues the Amazon, it is logging of commercially-important forest trees in south-east Asia.

Read more: http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/physics-theory-explains-patterns-of-deforestation-in-the-tropics/article22845393.ece

ASEAN Forest Fire Forestry Global International Regional RFMRC-SEA SOUTHEAST ASIA VIETNAM

Đắk Nông keeps wary eye on forests to prevent dry season fires

Đắk Nông keeps wary eye on forests to prevent dry season fires

Update: February, 23/2018 – 09:00

Viet Nam News Đắk Nông — The Tây Nguyên (Central Highlands) province of Đắk Nông is working hard to ensure its more than 250,000ha of forests are not affected by fires during the dry season, which will last until the end of April.

More than 120,000ha face a high risk of fires. Of them, nearly 90,000ha are natural forests, according to the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

The department’s Forest Protection Division is increasingly using information technology for forecasting forest fires and providing early warning.

Local authorities and private managers of forests have been instructed to strictly follow forest-protection and fire-prevention regulations.

Periodic fire prevention and firefighting drills are organized at localities to ensure full preparedness in case of forest fires.

Forest managers have assigned staff to monitor vulnerable areas during the dry season.

Information and instructions on fire safety are put up on boards at public places to remind the public to be vigilant.

Authorities are also strengthening other dissemination activities to raise public awareness about forest protection and fire safety. — VNS

Read more at http://vietnamnews.vn/society/423221/dak-nong-keeps-wary-eye-on-forests-to-prevent-dry-season-fires.html#FRsGqTUZFXDdvscm.99

Forest Fire Forestry Global HAZE INDONESIA Regional RFMRC-SEA

Indonesia mobilizes to combat health-damaging forest fires

Indonesia mobilizes to combat health-damaging forest fires

The Associated Press

February 21, 2018 03:46 AM

Updated February 21, 2018 03:47 AM

JAKARTA, INDONESIA

Four Indonesian provinces have declared emergencies in anticipation of worsening forest fires that each year spread health-damaging haze across much of Southeast Asia.

The National Disaster Mitigation Agency said Wednesday that emergency alerts in Riau and South Sumatra provinces on the island of Sumatra and West and Central Kalimantan on Borneo will make it easier to mobilize fire-fighting operations and support from the central government.

The agency said satellites have detected 90 “hotspots” or fires across Indonesia, with the biggest numbers in West and Central Kalimantan. Pontianak, the capital of West Kalimantan province, has been blanketed in smoke, it said.

Record Indonesian forest fires in 2015 spread haze across a swath of Southeast Asia and, according to a study by Harvard and Columbia universities, hastened 100,000 deaths.

ASEAN Environment Forest Fire Forestry Global INDONESIA International Regional RFMRC-SEA SOUTHEAST ASIA

Indonesia Mobilizes to Combat Health-Damaging Forest Fires

Indonesia Mobilizes to Combat Health-Damaging Forest Fires

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Updated on

Jakarta, Indonesia (AP) — Four Indonesian provinces have declared emergencies in anticipation of worsening forest fires that each year spread health-damaging haze across much of Southeast Asia.

The National Disaster Mitigation Agency said Wednesday that emergency alerts in Riau and South Sumatra provinces on the island of Sumatra and West and Central Kalimantan on Borneo will make it easier to mobilize fire-fighting operations and support from the central government.

The agency said satellites have detected 90 “hotspots” or fires across Indonesia, with the biggest numbers in West and Central Kalimantan. Pontianak, the capital of West Kalimantan province, has been blanketed in smoke, it said.

Record Indonesian forest fires in 2015 spread haze across a swath of Southeast Asia and, according to a study by Harvard and Columbia universities, hastened 100,000 deaths.

Fires are often started by smallholders and plantation companies to clear land for planting. Many areas of Indonesia are prone to rapid burning because of the draining of swampy peatland forests for pulpwood and palm oil plantations.

Pontianak resident Reinardo Sinaga said rain in the past few days reduced the choking smoke that had affected the city for the previous two weeks.

Read more: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-02-21/indonesia-mobilizes-to-combat-health-damaging-forest-fires

Forest Fire Forestry Global HAZE Hotspots INDONESIA RFMRC-SEA SOUTHEAST ASIA

Mempawah facing situation of emergency against haze of smoke

Published By: ANTARANEWS.com

Pontianak, W Kalimantan (ANTARA News) – The district administration of Mempawah of West Kalimantan has announced a situation of emergency against the haze of smokes with a number of peatland areas having caught fire as dry season began to hit the region.

“The status of emergency will last until June 30, 2018,” acting district head of Mempawah, Gusti Ramlana, said here on Sunday.

Gusti Ramlana said dots of bushfires had been monitored in a number of areas, adding the dry season began only early this month bur the impact is quite damaging.

“I hope the BPPD (local disaster mitigation agency) could give a map of areas vulnerable to forest and bushfires in Mempawah,” he said.

Read more: https://en.antaranews.com/news/114674/mempawah-facing-situation-of-emergency-against-haze-of-smoke

(U.SYS/A/H-ASG/F001)

Editor: Heru Purwanto

ASEAN Forest Fire Forestry MYANMAR Regional RFMRC-SEA SOUTHEAST ASIA

Lack of snow brings fire concerns

Lack of snow brings fire concerns

With half the snowpack average, and nowhere near where it was this time last year, lack of snow has public lands and fire officials nervous.

Lake Tahoe snowmobilers are being asked to ride where there is actually snow.

“This winter has been a challenge for all winter recreation users,” said Tahoe Sierra Snowmobiling Club president, Greg McKay. “Snowmobilers should take extra care to minimize resource damage that low snow conditions present when they recreate and should follow Forest Service guidance.”

Snow is in the forecast for Washington’s Birthday, but accumulations are expected to be light, with even the high Sierra only forecast to see around 4 inches.

Snowmobile operators should avoid bare dirt and patchy snow and should not ride across streams or over small trees or brush, according to the U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit. Operating snowmobiles on too little snow create ruts in the soil and crush vegetation.
Forest Fire Forestry Global HAZE Hotspots INDONESIA International Regional RFMRC-SEA

Inggris Kucurkan Rp40 Miliar ke RI-Malaysia, untuk Apa Saja?

Inggris Kucurkan Rp40 Miliar ke RI-Malaysia, untuk Apa Saja?

By: Ezra Natalyn

Published by: Viva

VIVA – Inggris mendanai proyek baru untuk penanganan kebakaran hutan di Indonesia dan Malaysia dengan nilai 2 juta Poundsterling atau setara dengan Rp40 miliar. Program yang digagas Badan Antariksa Inggris ini disalurkan melalui jalur Program Kemitraan Internasional yaitu untuk mengatasi kebakaran hutan melalui satelit.

Proyek ini disebutkan merupakan salah satu dari 10 proyek baru di dunia yang melibatkan sejumlah organisasi di bidang ruang angkasa dengan total proyek seluruhnya hingga Rp720 miliar.

Read more by https://www.viva.co.id/berita/dunia/1007232-inggris-kucurkan-rp40-miliar-ke-ri-malaysia-untuk-apa-saja

 

ASEAN CAMBODIA Forest Fire Forestry International Regional RFMRC-SEA SOUTHEAST ASIA

Still no action taken on threatening of forest patroller

Still no action taken on threatening of forest patroller

| Publication date 09 February 2018 | 10:54 ICT

Forest patrollers and rights groups are questioning why the Oddar Meanchey Forestry Administration has yet to take action after a soldier transporting illegal timber allegedly beat and threatened to kill a patroller last month.

Patroller Loeut Las and Sorng Rukhavorn community forest chief Venerable Bun Saluth say they have filed complaints with local representatives of the rights groups Adhoc and Licadho in hopes of bringing the suspect to court.

“If I were them, I would not keep the complaint like that,” Las said, adding that he believes the delay is due to the influence of the armed forces. “As far as I know, the suspect is not afraid of anything.”

Community forest patrollers say Regiment 424 soldier Moeng Duong hit Las and threatened to set his family on fire last month after being caught allegedly transporting luxury timber. Forestry Administration officials who were at the scene of the confrontation have confirmed the account.

However, when reached yesterday, provincial Forestry Administration Director I’m Savarith said the agency needed more time to investigate.

“It is like trying to catch a cobra,” Savarith said. “If we make a wrong move, the cobra will bite us dead.”

He declined to say when the investigation would end before hanging up.

Regiment 424 commander Sin Pean could not be reached for comment yesterday, but told The Post earlier this week that he had punished and “educated” Duong.

Saluth and Las sent a report to the provincial Forestry Administration shortly after the incident, which took place on January 28. Srey Naren, a provincial coordinator for Adhoc, said he plans to file a complaint with the court next week in hopes that they can spur action.

Contact author: Phak Seangly

Read more: http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/still-no-action-taken-threatening-forest-patroller

Forest Fire Forestry Global HAZE Hotspots INDONESIA International Regional RFMRC-SEA

Asian Games should remain unaffected by forest fires: President

Jakarta (ANTARA News) – Implementation of the ASIAN Games in Indonesia should not be affected by smoke arising from forest and land fires, according to President Joko Widodo.

The 18th Asian Games will be organized from Aug 18 to Sept 2 at the Bung Karno Sports Arena of Jakarta and Jakabaring Sports City of Palembang in South Sumatra Province.

“This year, we host the ASIAN Games in Jakarta and Palembang. I remind you to not let the smoke from forest and land fires arise during the implementation of the event,” Widodo noted during a briefing to participants of the National Coordination Meeting on Forest and Land Fire Control in 2018 at the State Palace in Jakarta on Tuesday.

He pointed out that smoke from forest and land fires will tarnish the image of Indonesia and disrupt flights during the ASIAN Games.

“We have to work hard to ensure that the ASIAN Games run smoothly without any disturbance from forest and land fires,” he stated.

Read more https://en.antaranews.com/news/114525/asian-games-should-remain-unaffected-by-forest-fires-president

Reported by Joko Susilo
(T.M052/A/KR-BSR/F001)

Editor: Heru Purwanto