VIENTIANE, May 3 (Xinhua) -- Many hectares of forests in Laos have been damaged in raging wildfires triggered by hot and dry weather, with most wildfires being the result of slash-and-burn cultivation.
According to a Lao Economic Daily report on Friday, a forest fire was reported in northern Laos' Luang Prabang province on April 28. Villagers were clearing their land to sow new crops near a forest boundary without taking adequate precautions and the fire spread over 20 hectares, damaging protected forests.
The provincial authorities called on the residents to be cautious, especially when clearing their fields and burning agricultural refuse, as forest fires are common during hot weather.
Another wildfire was reported from the Forest Protection Area in northern Laos' Bokeo province on May 1. Local volunteers teamed up to extinguish the forest fire, according to the report.
The resulting smog has covered a wide area of Laos, with PM 2.5 levels reaching harmful levels in some places.
The Lao government has instructed the relevant ministries and local authorities to deal with the problem.
Lao officials have also been advised to circulate information about forest fires so that the public is better informed about the causes and effects of air pollution and are encouraged to stop the tradition of burning to clear vegetation from farmland.
Various departments have been ordered to monitor the situation and submit reports on air pollution to keep the public informed. ■
