Stand and fight or disappear?

March 26, 2026

Rescuers receive daily calls reporting fires in ecosystems – these include forest and peat fires, as well as grass and shrub fires. Burning dry vegetation is of no benefit, yet dozens of people every year throw a match to get rid of last year's deadwood. Burning dry grass only destroys plants, dispersing beneficial soil microorganisms. In 2025, 15 fires occurred in natural ecosystems in the Gluboksky district, including 1 forest fire.

For reference. Since the beginning of 2026, 50 forest fires, 3 peat fires, and 806 grass and shrub fires have occurred in the Republic of Belarus, resulting in 2 fatalities. In the Vitebsk region, there have been 2 forest fires and 22 grass and shrub fires.

A fire on a household plot or simply near buildings can easily cause ignition and damage, or even completely destroy structures or nearby parked vehicles. It is difficult to stop a raging flame, and not only property but also the arsonist themselves or citizens who happen to be at the scene of the fire can suffer. The Ministry of Emergency Situations has documented cases not only where the fire spread to buildings before the eyes of the perpetrators but also where people died due to fires.
To avoid disaster, the following recommendations must be followed:
•    Never burn grass. In addition to being harmful to plants and animals, fires can also be dangerous to humans. Do not leave a burning fire unattended. Thoroughly extinguish cigarette butts and matches before discarding them;
•    If you notice a fire, do not pass by. You can extinguish burning grass yourself. When extinguishing with improvised means, you can beat down the flames from the edge of the fire with a bundle of twigs or branches of deciduous trees, or cover the edge of the fire with sand;
•    After extinguishing the fire, do not leave until you are sure that the fire will not reignite;
•    If you realize that you cannot extinguish the flame on your own, immediately report the incident by calling 101 or 112 and try to leave the scene of the fire as quickly as possible.

Burning trash on your property is certainly possible, but it is essential to observe basic safety rules to prevent simple yard cleanup from turning into a tragedy. This should only be done in calm weather. It is best to build fires away from buildings, forests, or haystacks. If there is nothing of the above nearby, you are prepared to monitor the fire, and have a fire extinguisher or a bucket of water at hand, then you are doing everything correctly.

The Ministry of Emergency Situations reminds that burning dry vegetation, grass at the root, as well as stubble and post-harvest residues, entails a fine of 10 to 30 base units.

IT IS FORBIDDEN to burn dry vegetation!

IT IS FORBIDDEN to burn trash during strong gusts of wind and without observing fire safety requirements!

IT IS FORBIDDEN to leave fires unattended!