To ensure the protection of the forest fund, 30 fire-chemical stations and 134 units of fire-fighting equipment have been equipped in the forestry enterprises of the Vitebsk State Production Forestry Association. These facilities are supplied with all necessary inventory and equipment. Forest fire-fighting teams and brigades have been formed and trained in the forestry enterprises of the region, and readiness reviews have been conducted.
On working and non-working days, duty shifts are organised in all forestry enterprises and forestries. Ground route patrols and information and awareness campaigns are carried out among the population to monitor fire safety in forests and prevent forest fires. A comprehensive set of works on forest fire prevention measures is also being implemented. To promptly detect fires, 68 video surveillance cameras operate automatically in the forestry enterprises.
To ensure the safety of people, their property, and the forest fund, bans or restrictions on forest access are introduced, depending on the fire hazard class, which are approved by decisions of the district executive committees.
Today, with the onset of fire hazard class 3, restrictions on forest access have been introduced in all regions of the oblast.
With restrictions, it is permitted to enter the forest on foot, but it is prohibited to enter the forest area by mechanical vehicle. It is forbidden to light fires in coniferous stands and young growth, in areas of damaged forest stands, peatlands, in logging areas not cleared of logging residues and harvested timber, and in places with dried grass. It is prohibited to leave oily materials or materials impregnated with flammable liquids and other combustible substances in the forest, as this can lead to spontaneous combustion.
A particular danger to the forest fund today is the uncontrolled burning of rubbish, and the burning of dry vegetation and bushes, which leads to the spread of fire and its transfer to the forest fund or residential buildings and outbuildings.
It should be remembered that for burning dry standing vegetation, post-harvest residues, as well as for failure to take measures to extinguish fires, or for violating fire safety requirements in forests and peatlands, which results in the destruction or damage of forests or peatlands, administrative liability of up to 30 basic units is provided. In the event that a person violates the ban on forest access, this is punishable by fines of up to 12 basic units.