Firefighters from OSP Nowogrodziec – Osiedle reported the incident

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On Sunday, March 27, late in the evening, one of our volunteer firefighters noticed a grass fire beside a detached house. Thanks to a quick response, it was possible to contain the fire, which had begun to consume elements of the building’s façade.

View photo: Dangerous Grass Fire View photo: Dangerous Grass Fire View photo: Dangerous Grass Fire

Let us recall that the “Stop Grass Fires” campaign is under way. Its aim is to reduce the number of grass fires and raise public awareness of the dangers associated with setting fire to agricultural wasteland. Komenda Powiatowa Państwowej Straży Pożarnej w Bolesławcu reports

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Since the beginning of the year, firefighters from Bolesławiec County have been called to grass and agricultural wasteland fires 53 times. Last weekend alone [March 18–20 – editor’s note], PSP and OSP firefighters responded 17 times.

They add:

Grass and wasteland fires are highly susceptible to wind; they very often get out of control and spread to nearby forests and buildings. In many cases, people lose everything they own in such fires. They also pose a direct threat to health and life. Each intervention represents a significant financial expense. Firefighters engaged in extinguishing grass, meadow and wasteland fires may at the same time be needed elsewhere to save human lives and property.

Officials: “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 remains. Areas of dried vegetation from the previous year are excellent fuel, which, combined with people’s irresponsibility, results in a sharp increase in fires.”

Who is to blame?

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; this claim is, of course, false. Burning grass causes environmental damage by disrupting the ecosystem and creates a threat to the health and lives of people and animals.

What penalties are imposed for burning grass?

  • Burning grass is prohibited under the Code of Petty Offenses, which provides for a fine of up to PLN 5,000.
  • If burning grass causes a fire that endangers property or life, it can result in a prison sentence of up to 10 years.