On Sunday, 22 July, at approximately 4:30 p.m., the Bolesławiec District Headquarters of the State Fire Service received a report of a forest fire near the village of Wierzbowa (Gromadka Municipality). At the scene, it was found that forest litter, young growth and underbrush were burning in a pine forest over an area of approximately 2 hectares.
As we read on the website of the Bolesławiec District Headquarters of the State Fire Service::
The firefighting operation continued until the evening of 23 July. The prolonged firefighting efforts were caused by a thick layer of forest litter that was burning; covered with moss, its structure was similar to peat.
A total of 26 vehicles and 99 firefighters from the State Fire Service and volunteer fire services in Bolesławiec, Żagań, Polkowice, Lubin and Legnica counties participated in the operation, working in alternating shifts. Fire engines transported water from natural and artificial reservoirs and hydrant networks, supplying approximately 200 cubic metres of water to extinguish the fire.
In addition, on the first day of the operation, two firefighting aircraft from the State Forests were also involved, making six water drops, as well as a tractor that ploughed around the entire perimeter of the fire.
Thanks to the firefighters’ efforts, the fire was prevented from spreading to the large forest complexes of the Chocianów and Przemków Forest Districts.