The incident occurred on Thursday, February 25. Volunteer firefighters from Trzebień:
[...] at 6:32 p.m. we were dispatched to a grass fire in Parkoszów.
Only firefighters from Trzebień took part in the operation. Fortunately, no one was hurt.
In Poland, 153,520 fires were recorded in 2019, including 55,912 grass fires in meadows and agricultural wasteland, accounting for approximately 36.4% of all fires in Poland. According to stoppozaromtraw.pl, the highest number of grass fires was recorded in March and April—31,720 in total, accounting for 56.7% of all grass fires in 2019.
In 2019, there were 55,912 grass fires. More than 24,151 hectares of grassland burned.
Stoppozaromtraw.pl:
The transition from winter to spring is a period when the number of grass fires in meadows and agricultural wasteland clearly increases. This is caused by the burning of dry grass and plant residue. Areas of dried vegetation from the previous year are excellent fuel, which, combined with human irresponsibility, leads to a sharp increase in fires. People are responsible for most grass fires. Unfortunately, many people believe that burning dry grass naturally fertilizes the soil, causing young grass to grow faster and more abundantly and thus bringing economic benefits.
How quickly does such a fire spread?
A fire can spread at more than 20 km/h (running fast is nearly 19 km/h, while fast cycling is approximately 30 km/h). Wind also helps spread the flames. When wind speeds are high and its direction changes suddenly, fires very often get out of control and spread to nearby forests and buildings.
Importantly, during a forest fire, animals panic. Many lose their bearings and run straight into the flames!
Are people also among those affected?
National Headquarters of the State Fire Service:
People repeatedly lose everything they own in such fires. There is also a direct threat to the health and lives of people and animals.
What are the economic consequences of grass fires?
Fires in meadows and forests cause enormous material losses. The accumulated wealth of many generations often goes up in smoke. The estimated losses resulting from grass fires in 2019 amounted to PLN 40,974,800. The average duration of a grass-fire firefighting operation is 54 minutes.
In 2018, firefighters were dispatched to grass and agricultural-wasteland fires every nine minutes on average.
Is burning grass legal?
Firefighters:
The ban on burning grass is set out in the following legal acts:
- The Act of April 16, 2004 on Nature Conservation (Journal of Laws of 2018, item 142):
- Article 131, point 12: “It is prohibited to burn meadows, pastures, wasteland, ditches, roadside strips, railway lines, reed beds and marshes.”
- Article 131: “Anyone who burns meadows, pastures, wasteland, ditches, roadside strips, railway lines, reed beds or marshes shall be subject to arrest or a fine.”
- The Act of September 28, 1991 on Forests (Journal of Laws of 2017, item 788):
- Article 30, section 3, point 3: “in forests and forested areas, as well as within 100 meters of the forest boundary, activities and actions that may cause danger are prohibited, in particular: starting fires outside places designated for this purpose by the forest owner or forest superintendent, using an open flame, and burning the topsoil and plant residue.”
What are the penalties for burning grass?
- Article 82 of the Act of May 20, 1971, Code of Petty Offenses (Journal of Laws of 2018, item 618)—arrest, reprimand or a fine which, pursuant to Article 24 § 1, may amount to between PLN 20 and PLN 5,000.
- Article 163 § 1 of the Act of June 6, 1997, Criminal Code (Journal of Laws of 1997, No. 88, item 553, as amended): “Anyone who causes an event that threatens the lives or health of many people or property on a large scale, in the form of a fire, shall be subject to imprisonment for between one and 10 years.”
Losses extend beyond property
State Fire Service Headquarters:
In 2019, during rescue operations related to extinguishing grass fires, 183,412,171 liters of water were used, equivalent to the capacity of 49 Olympic-size swimming pools. Grass fires in wasteland, due to their nature and usually considerable size, engage large numbers of firefighters and rescue resources. Every such intervention is a significant financial expense.
Uniformed officers emphasize:
Firefighters engaged in extinguishing grass fires in meadows and wasteland may, at the same time, be needed elsewhere to save people’s lives, health and property. It may happen that, because of people’s recklessness in burning grass, they will not reach in time the places where they are urgently needed.