Forest or peat fires are usually man-made. In rare cases, such fires are caused by lightning strikes or spontaneous combustion of peat bogs.
Forest or peat fires are usually man-made. In rare cases, such fires are caused by lightning strikes or spontaneous combustion of peat bogs.
If you witness such an incident, the first step is to clearly assess the situation:
Immediately report the incident to the emergency services by calling 101 or 112. The main task is to prevent the fire from gaining strength and spreading. To do this, you should extinguish the fire, carefully inspect the area, and ensure that there are no remaining sources of combustion. When extinguishing a forest fire, the most common method is to beat out the flames at the fire's edge. Green branches are used for beating out the flames; you can also throw soil onto the fire's edge.
Do not waste time on a fire that has already become significantly large – in this case, hurry to get help. When leaving the fire area, walk against the wind, perpendicular to the fire's edge, along clearings, roads, glades, and the banks of streams and rivers. In case of heavy smoke, if possible, cover your mouth and nose with a wet cloth.
During firefighting, it is necessary to observe safety rules and remember that in crown fires, when the crowns of trees are burning, the banks of water bodies, large glades, and deciduous forests without coniferous undergrowth can serve as a refuge. You should not seek refuge on roads and clearings surrounded by coniferous forests, especially young growth with low-hanging crowns, as well as in ravines overgrown with forest. Burning wood in open areas is always very intense. In dry weather and with wind, burning twigs, leaves, and embers can be carried tens of meters. When a peat fire is detected, consider that deep burns can form in the burning zone, so move cautiously, having previously checked the depth of the burnt layer with a stick.
According to the Code of Administrative Offences, violation of fire safety requirements in forests and peat bogs, or violation of the ban on visiting them (if such a decision has been made), is punishable by a fine of up to 25 basic units. A similar violation that causes the destruction or damage of forests or peat bogs, if these actions do not constitute a crime, incurs a fine of 25 to 50 basic units.