Forest Fire Prevention and Control Plan
Pursuant to new MC&I standard under Indicator 6.5.5, the FMU requires to prepare Forest Fire Prevention and Control Plan for all fire-prone forest type.
Entulu – Melatai FMU had similarly conducted a risk assessment for fire-prone forest types therein. A preventive and mitigation measure had been provided to prevent and control forest fire within the FMU. The risk of forest fire is categorized as follows:
| RATING OF FOREST FIRE RISK (within FMU) | ||
| FOREST FIRE TYPE | RISK LEVEL | REMARKS |
| Prescribed Fire | Zero | No prescribed burning in is being implemented in Entulu – Melatai FMU. |
| Structural Fire | Low | Firefighting measures – fire extinguishers and emergency response plan. Structure’s area usually located away from the forest on cleared area. |
| Wildfire | Medium # | Potential spread by shifting cultivation activities carried out by local people in crop land area. |
| RATING OF FOREST FIRE RISK (outside FMU) | ||
| FOREST FIRE TYPE | RISK LEVEL | REMARKS |
| Prescribed Fire | Zero | No prescribed burning. |
| Structural Fire | Low | Isolated development and presence of firefighting measures. |
| Wildfire | Medium # | Potential spread from farming activities in Shifting Agriculture area. |
| NOTE: # Rating of risk as MEDIUM due to no record of any forest fire so far in Kapit Division. | ||
The forest fire prevention and control conducted by the FMU included:
- Instil awareness about forest fire and its prevention to forest workers and local people by placing conspicuous signage “No Open Burning” at strategic locations.
- To carry out monitoring and patrolling tasks during dry season around the FMU in particular on area adjacent or near to the Shifting Agriculture where local people practice shifting agriculture activities, spreading of fire and fire breakage.
- To conduct briefing and consultation with the local communities through awareness training (Bomba).
- Put up “No Burning” and “No Smoking” signboards, issuance of circular requesting workers not to carry out any open burning and to liaise other neighbouring timber operators and stakeholders on prevention, monitoring and controlling of potential forest fire affecting the FMU.
- Set up of fire emergency response/action plan. Need firefighting kits and understanding of fire suppression plan.
Risk and Mitigation Measures to Climate Change
Entulu – Melatai FMU conducted a risk assessment for forest operations related activities affecting the climate change. The extraction of timbers and related activities which will cause the emission of CO2, environmental pollution (both air/water), burning of fossil fuels, use of lubricants and the potential occurrence of forest fire are possible risks to the FMU.
Mitigation measures taken by FMU to reduce the release greenhouse gases are:
- Sustainable management of forest and conservation of forest resources, such as buffer zones, saltlicks, HCVF, sensitive/Terrain IV area, shifting agriculture and river bank buffers.
- Forest fire prevention, monitor and control by erect watch tower and rainfall collecting record.
- Protection and improving of existing forest cover/habitat through proper harvesting method and conservation process, such as carrying out timber operation according to annual allowable cutting area in phases.
- Enrichment planting of indigenous species and forest restoration planting in order to ensure recovery of forest in a faster rate.
- Compliance of RIL practices.
- Avoid usage of chemicals affecting ecological equilibrium and impairing forest environment.
- Reduced emission from deforestation and degradation of forest (REDD).