The incident occurred on June 15.

View photo: Fire in Lipiany View photo: Fire in Lipiany

Firefighters from Gromadka:

(…) at 3:53 p.m. we were dispatched to a forest fire in the village of Lipiany.

The danger was eliminated; fortunately, no one was injured. The firefighters: – The following units took part in the operation: OSP KSRG Gromadka GBA, OSP KSRG Rożyniec GCBA, OSP KSRG Krzyżowa GBA, OSP Wierzbowa GBA and the Forest Service.

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 basic rules:

  1. In forests and forested areas, in meadows, peat bogs and heathlands, as well as within 100 m of the forest boundary, the following are prohibited:
    1. lighting fires outside designated places,
    2. burning the topsoil and plant remains,
    3. smoking, except on paved roads and in places designated for people.
  2. In national parks, let us use only designated trails. Beforehand, however, find out the forest fire danger level in force on a given day and comply with it – access to the forest may have been prohibited.
  3. Let us not enter forest plantations or young stands up to 3 m high.
  4. Let us use motor vehicles and horse-drawn vehicles only on roads marked with signposts.
  5. Let us 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 must not be lit even in designated places.

The government website also states:

The greatest fire danger in forested areas is caused by people spending their summer leisure time there and by people gathering forest fruits. The fire danger in forests is associated with widespread violations of fire regulations, primarily the use of open flames in forests, including smoking cigarettes, lighting campfires and using barbecues in places not intended for these purposes. In addition, forest fires are caused by cigarette butts being thrown from cars driving through forested areas.

A forest’s susceptibility to fire depends primarily on weather conditions. These affect the moisture of the forest litter, whose decrease below 28% significantly increases its susceptibility to ignition. 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, the burning of vegetation in early spring and human carelessness are just some of the causes of fires starting in forests. Most fires occur when the forest fire danger reaches the highest, level III. As a rule, they are surface fires, burning the forest undergrowth, shrubs and individual trees. Persistently high temperatures cause the forest litter and vegetation on the forest floor to dry out.