More than 50,000 dangerous items have already been removed from the forest areas of Szklarska Poręba Forest District. However, the problem has not gone away. Further bomb-disposal work is under way in Roztoka Forestry District, near Szklarka Waterfall.
Currently, 23 hectares of forest are being cleared. Among those involved is the Bolesławiec Bomb Disposal Patrol, which responds to incidents involving dangerous items that have been found.
Bomb disposal specialists from Bolesławiec work in the forest near Szklarka
Remnants of wartime activities can still be found in forest areas around Szklarska Poręba. They are not always on the surface. They may be hidden beneath tree roots, in rock crevices or between boulders.
Therefore, clearing the area does not consist merely of collecting visible items. Every find must be located, identified and safely removed.
In 2024, 42 hectares had already been secured. Initially, the work focused on areas near roads and hiking trails.
More than 50,000 dangerous items
The scale of the problem is much greater. The Forest District estimates that explosive items and other dangerous remnants may be present across approximately 200 hectares.
This year alone, PLN 2 million has been allocated to bomb-disposal work. According to the Forest District, clearing one hectare can cost as much as PLN 70,000, which means multimillion-zloty expenditure across such a large area.
Bolesławiec Bomb Disposal Patrol and an external company
The work is carried out in two ways. Some interventions are handled by the Bolesławiec Bomb Disposal Patrol, while the remaining activities are performed under a contract with the external company SPEC-MAJ.
Entry ban in force until the end of 2026
Because of the danger, part of the area has been subject to a temporary ban on entering the forest. It is currently in force until 31 December 2026.
The bomb-disposal work itself in Roztoka Forestry District is scheduled to continue until 30 November 2026.
The Forest District points out that the problem of wartime remnants affects both State Forests areas and Karkonosze National Park. However, the rules governing access to the two areas differ.
In the forests, except in areas subject to restrictions, people have greater freedom of movement. In the national park, however, tourist traffic takes place primarily along designated trails.
Tourist safety is the top priority
The area around Szklarka Waterfall is popular with tourists. Therefore, clearing areas near routes and places frequented by people is particularly important.
Until the work is completed, visitors must comply with the applicable bans and stay out of restricted areas.
If someone finds an object while out walking that may be a wartime remnant, they should not touch or move it. They should move to a safe distance and notify the appropriate services.