Hundreds of Forest Fires in 2009

More than 1,490 hectares of forest were destroyed this year in 314 forest fires nationwide, said the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. Some districts in 13 northern and central provinces have seen little rain recently and the prolonged dry weather puts them at danger level-5 for forest fires, an extremely serious condition that could quickly wipe out entire forests. This month 2,630 cases of violations against State forest protection and management regulations were recorded nationwide.