Fires bring no benefit

March 7, 2024

Rescuers receive over 100 calls daily reporting ecosystem fires – these include forest and peat fires, as well as grass and shrub fires.

Rescuers receive over 100 calls daily reporting ecosystem fires – these include forest and peat fires, as well as grass and shrub fires. Burning dry vegetation brings no benefit, yet dozens of people every year throw a match to get rid of last year's dry grass. Burning dry grass only destroys plants, dispersing beneficial microorganisms for the soil. In the Glubokoe district in 2023, there were 2 grass and shrub fires and 2 forest fires, covering a total area of 0.61 hectares.

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 can be harmed, but also the arsonist themselves or citizens who happen to be at the scene of the fire. Ministry of Emergency Situations employees are aware of cases not only when the fire spread to buildings before the eyes of the perpetrators, but also when people died due to fires.

To avoid disaster, the following recommendations must be followed:

· In no case should you burn grass. Besides 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 out 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 garbage on your property is certainly permissible, but it is necessary to observe basic safety rules so that simple plot cleaning does not turn into a tragedy.

This should only be done in calm weather. It is best to build fires away from buildings, forests, or haystacks. If none of the above are 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, standing grass, 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!