Prolonged dry weather has raised the risk of fires in 12 provinces to Level V (extremely dangerous).

Prolonged dry weather has raised the risk of deforestation across the country to an extremely dangerous level.

The alert was issued by the Department of Forest Management under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on Tuesday.

These central, western highlands and southern provinces include Lam Dong, Tay Ninh, Khanh Hoa and Gia Lai, as well as Dong Nai, An Giang, Binh Phuoc and Ba Ria-Vung Tau. Also on the list are Ca Mau, Kon Tum, Long An and Ninh Thuan. These are areas where forests catch fire easily because of low rainfall over the past few months.

Besides this, the risk of forest fires in three provinces Binh Thuan, Dak Nong and Binh Phuoc, is at Level IV (dangerous).

The authorities have urged localities to implement preventive measures and be prepared to tackle forest fires by using on-site resources to ensure minimum damage.