The incident took place on June 12.
17:30
(...) our unit was dispatched to a forest fire in the village of Świętoszów.
Ten ares of forest litter burned. The firefighters: – The fire was quickly brought under control, so it did not spread to a larger part of the forest.
Firefighters from OSP Przejęsław, WSP Dobre nad Kwisą, WSP KSRG Świętoszów, OSP Ławszowa, as well as a Dromader aircraft and forest services, took part in the operation.
The threat was eliminated and, fortunately, no one was hurt.
How can forest fires be prevented?
As we read on gov.pl:
To prevent fires in forests, we appeal to everyone staying in these areas to follow the basic rules:
- In forests and forest-adjacent areas, in meadows, peat bogs and heathlands, as well as within 100 m of the forest boundary, the following are prohibited:
- lighting fires outside designated areas,
- burning the top layer of soil and plant residues,
- smoking tobacco, except on paved roads and in places designated for people to stay.
- 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—an entry ban for the forest may have been announced.
- Do not enter forest plantations or young stands up to 3 m high.
- Use motor vehicles and horse-drawn vehicles only on roads marked with signposts.
- Let us remember what the forest fire danger levels mean:
- 0 – no danger,
- I – low danger,
- II – high danger; be careful,
- III – catastrophic danger; fires must not be lit even in designated areas.
The government website also states:
The greatest fire danger in forested areas is caused by people enjoying summer recreation in these areas and by people collecting forest fruits. The fire danger in forests is associated with widespread violations of fire regulations, especially the use of open flames in forests, including smoking cigarettes, lighting campfires and using grills in places not designated for these purposes. Forest fires also start when cigarette butts are thrown from cars driving through forested areas.
The susceptibility of forests to fire depends primarily on weather conditions. They affect the moisture content of the forest litter; when it falls below 28%, the litter’s susceptibility to ignition increases significantly. A forest is an excellent combustible material. However, a source of fire is needed for a fire 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 when the forest fire danger is at the highest, level III. They are generally surface fires, burning the forest undergrowth, shrubs and individual trees. Persistently high temperatures cause the forest litter and ground vegetation to dry out.