Forest Officers’ Indispensable Role in Localizing Wildfire in Abai Region
Wildfires in Abai Region of Kazakhstan Have Been Localized, Evacuated Residents Return Home
Astana, Kazakhstan – The wildfires that have been raging in the Abai Region since June 8 have finally been localized, allowing evacuated residents to return home. The Akimat (administration) of the city of Semei reported on June 15 that the situation has stabilized.
The fire initially spread rapidly, engulfing a large area of 60,000 hectares and tragically claiming the lives of 14 forest workers. The government and citizens of Kazakhstan have extended various forms of support and assistance to the families and relatives of the victims.
In a recent interview with Kazinform, Vasiliy Labanchuk, the head of the department of forestry and specially protected natural areas in the North Kazakhstan Region, explained the primary duties of forest officers, which include protection, reforestation, and forest management.
Labanchuk highlighted the challenges faced by forest rangers, stating that each ranger is responsible for patrolling a large area ranging from 1,500-2,000 to 20,000 hectares of forest. The recent wildfire in Abai Region underscored the difficulties faced by rangers, as preventive measures alone cannot guarantee the safety of the entire territory under their care.
Labanchuk stressed the importance of individual responsibility in preserving the forest, stating that anyone entering the forest should refrain from littering or starting fires. The preparation for the fire-hazardous season begins in March, with grass being set alight in advance to prevent larger fires when temperatures rise.
During the summer, forest rangers living in the vicinity of the forest continuously monitor the territory for smoke. Any sign of fire is immediately reported to a dispatcher, who then deploys equipment including tractors, machines equipped with motor pumps, high-pressure pumps, and backpack sprayers to the site. Additional support is called in if necessary.
To prevent the spread of fire, forest rangers may use specialized plows attached to tractors to create furrows that act as barriers. Forest patrol cars are also equipped with fire extinguishing equipment such as crackers, backpack sprayers, and water reservoirs.
Labanchuk assured that the forest territory is adequately equipped with drones, towers, and surveillance cameras in all sectors. The North Kazakhstan Region currently has 580 forest guard workers, including 354 forest rangers, who are all provided with radio stations for effective communication.
In addition to firefighting efforts, deforestation and reforestation are crucial tasks undertaken by forest officers. The selection of areas for felling is done using taxation descriptions from the forest management project. Satellites are utilized to monitor the entire process, ensuring transparency and accurate counting of trees.
Reforestation efforts have seen over seven million seedlings planted since the beginning of this year. The progress can be tracked by the public using the interactive map OrmanKZ.
The North Kazakhstan Region is home to approximately 550,000 hectares of forest, with forestries serving the site. Despite the significant workload and high level of responsibility, the monthly salary of foresters ranges from 85,000 tenge ($189.34) to 160,000 tenge ($356.40).
Labanchuk expressed hope for an increase in salaries, citing the need for changes in norms to accommodate the increasing planting volumes.
With the localizing of the wildfires in Abai Region, residents can finally breathe a sigh of relief as they return to their homes. The efforts of the forest officers and the support from the government and citizens have been instrumental in addressing this challenging situation. The focus now is on recovering from the aftermath of the fires and implementing measures to prevent future wildfires.
Photo Credit: rare-gallery.com
