This diary penned by a forest controller
tells the story of the blaze which has destroyed one of the country's most
precious ecological areas.
March 24, 11am: A tiny fire started
in sub-area 138. Some of the park's controllers started to fight the fire.
March 25, 2am: The fire appeared to be under control; however, by 9am it got out of the controlled area and became widespread.
March 26: The expanding fire received not enough fighters and small pumps were used.
March 27: The park authorities called the provincial authorities and mobilized an additional 17 district forest controllers to fight the blaze.
March 27, 2pm: Reported the issue to Kien Giang Forest Control Branch and the National Forest Control Bureau (NFCB).
March 28, 10pm: NFBC leaders were present in the park as were 35 supplementary provincial forest controllers.
March 29: Existing forces: Forests controllers, soldiers, park staff, local guards and anti-fire policemen. Facilities included 18 pumps and one pick-up truck.
March 30: In the morning, Kien Giang's provincial party committee representative was present. In the afternoon, Nguyen Dinh Thinh, vice minister of agriculture and rural development, visited the scene to assist authorities. The fire continued but the anti-fire facilities remained unchanged.
March 31: Strong winds had the effect of spreading the fire. Shortage of manpower.
April 1, 10am: Truck was damaged. Most of the forces withdrew from the command center.
April 2, 10am: Vice chairman of the provincial people's committee inspected. Fire fighters were exhausted. A lot of them came from the military and local guards.
April 3: A central delegation convened in Rach Gia to discuss solutions. Existing forces: soldiers, local guards, forest controllers and staff from the park. One-third of pumps damaged. In the afternoon, a little rain fell. Water was badly lacking. More fighters were brought in during the night.
April 4, morning: Forces: 700 people. In the afternoon, rain fell from 4.45 to 5.45 pm. The situation was basically under control.
April 5: Forces: Around 1,000 people. Logistics were good but there were few canoes to transport foodstuff.
April 6, 2 pm: The steering board inspected the site by helicopter. Fire continued in sub-area 143.
April 8: Around 3,000ha of old forest was burned.
April 9: Completed the fire-break canals. Many precious animals were found dead.
April 10: Heavy rainfall but the peat layer continued firing. Much water was pumped into areas to cool down the peat layer.
April 11: Agriculture and rural development minister Le Huy Ngo and the NFCB head inspected the area by plane.
April 15: Prime Minister Phan Van Khai flew to Ca Mau and Kien Giang to assist local authorities.
April 18: Fires in U Minh Thuong were completely extinguished.
Kien Giang authorities were reported to spend VND 3 billion (US$ 200,000) rescuing the forest, with another VND 3 billion from the government.
The cause of the blaze has yet to be determined.
April 19: Fires in U Minh Ha basically under controlled.