From May 3, a forest fire-free period has been set in Latvia – Gulbene district – Dzirkstele.lv

On May 3, the State Forest Service determines the beginning of the forest fire-free period in the entire territory of the country, which provides for several compliance with essential rules. The service calls on all residents to be especially careful with fire in the forest.

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One of the public functions of the State Forestry Service is the monitoring of forest fire safety, as well as the detection, containment and elimination of forest fires. To ensure this, a forest fire-free period is announced during the summer period, which sets prohibitions and restrictions for all residents. This is provided for by the Rules of the MK no. 238 “Fire Safety Regulations”, the non-compliance of which may be subject to administrative, civil and criminal liability.

In order to reduce the chances of a forest fire, all residents are prohibited from staying in forests and swamps during the fire-free period:

• drop burning or smoldering matches, cigarettes or other objects;
• light bonfires, except in specially designed places that prevent the fire from spreading outside this place;
• leave fires unattended;
• burn waste;
• drive motor vehicles through the forest and swamp off-road;
• perform any other action that may cause a fire.

Also, without coordination with the nearest forestry of the State Forest Service, it is forbidden to carry out any burning that creates smoke, because it can mislead the attendants of the fire observation towers. Forest developers should also remember that during the fire-safe period of the forest, burning of felling residues in the felling may only be done with the written permission of the forester of the State Forest Service.

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On the other hand, the owners of the forest must make sure that the forest roads and tracks are freed from fallen trees and bushes, so that, in case of need, it is possible for the forest fire engines to move freely. Also, the owner of the forest should know that after the elimination of the forest fire in his forest, it is the responsibility of the owner to monitor the site of the forest fire.

The State Forestry Service informs that 17 forest fires have already been registered this year with a total burnt area of ​​5.7 hectares, of which the area of ​​forest land is 1.97 hectares, including 1.27 hectares of new growth. In 2023, however, forest fires were extinguished 653 times, in a total area of ​​637 hectares.