The incident occurred on May 12.

View photo: Forest Fire View photo: Forest Fire

Firefighters from Wierzbowa:

(…) at 9:52 p.m. we received a dispatch to a forest fire between the towns of Pasternik and Wierzbowa.

They add: – At the scene, we worked with OSP Gromadka and OSP Nowa Kuźnia.

The danger was eliminated; fortunately, no one was injured.

How can forest fires be prevented?

As we read on gov.pl:

To avoid fires in forests, we appeal to everyone staying in these areas to follow the basic rules:

  1. In forests and forest areas, in meadows, peatlands and heathlands, as well as within 100 m of the forest boundary, the following are prohibited:
    1. starting fires outside designated areas,
    2. burning the topsoil and plant residue,
    3. smoking tobacco, except on paved roads and in places designated for people’s stay.
  2. In national parks, use only designated trails. First, however, find out the forest fire danger level in effect on a given day and follow it—there may be a ban on entering the forest.
  3. Do not enter forest plantations or young stands up to 3 m high.
  4. Use motor vehicles and animal-drawn vehicles only on roads marked with signposts.
  5. Remember what the forest fire danger levels mean:
    1. 0 – no danger,
    2. I – low danger,
    3. II – high danger; be careful,
    4. III – catastrophic danger; fires may not be lit even in designated areas.

The government website also states:

The greatest fire danger in forest areas is caused by people enjoying summer recreation in these areas and by people gathering forest fruits. The fire danger to forests is linked to widespread violations of fire-safety regulations, above all the use of open fire in forests, that is, smoking cigarettes, lighting campfires and using barbecues in places not designated for these activities. In addition, forest fires result from cigarette butts being thrown from cars driving through forest areas.

A forest’s susceptibility to fire depends primarily on weather conditions. They affect the moisture of the forest litter, and a decrease below 28% significantly increases its susceptibility to ignition. A forest is excellent combustible material. However, a fire requires a source of ignition to start.

People are responsible for more than 90% of forest fires.

Arson, early-spring burning of vegetation and human carelessness are just some of the causes of fires starting in forests. Most fires occur at the highest, level III forest fire danger. As a rule, they are surface fires: the forest undergrowth, bushes and individual trees burn. Persistently high temperatures cause the forest litter and vegetation on the forest floor to dry out.