Lukashenko draws attention to the fire hazard situation in Belarus

President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko draws attention to the fire hazard situation in Belarus due to dry weather.

Relevant issues were discussed today at a meeting between the Head of State and the Minister for Emergency Situations Vladimir Vashchenko, BELTA correspondent reports.

"As I have already said, we are such people that sometimes we focus on one problem and forget that there are other problems," noted Alexander Lukashenko.

In this regard, the Head of State noted that the attention of many is focused solely on viral diseases, the topic of coronavirus. "Without even comparing what happened last year with what is happening this year. And in this terrible year, the situation is better than last year, the same applies to pneumonia. But we have all focused on this problem," the President noted. "I constantly emphasize that the most important element for us is the economy. All this will pass (it is already passing, you can see what is happening in Europe). But the economy will always be there. Because it is people's lives."

The Head of State stated that currently, very dry weather prevails in Belarus. "There is a slight frost at night, and in the morning, the sun and wind dry out the soil very much. Naturally, 40% (of the country's territory. - BELTA note) of Belarus is forests. Then, we always start burning grass in the spring. Biologists and others have already said that it is harmful to the soil composition and its inhabitants. But nevertheless, they burn it. Fires are our reality. Perhaps not on the same scale as in neighboring countries, perhaps not as terrible, but they still exist. And these are not two or three fires, but dozens. This is money, expenses," he said.

In this regard, Alexander Lukashenko inquired about the fire hazard situation in the country: "I was informed today: we have moderate fire hazard up to Pripyat. And in the Pripyat region and further south, towards Ukraine - there is already a high fire hazard. The dryness is more severe there. What is happening in this case, how are we coping?"

The President also inquired about the statistics of people dying in fires. "Unfortunately, we are still observing this. And people die in fires many times more (than from coronavirus. - BELTA note). I provided these figures for the first quarter," noted Alexander Lukashenko.

"Naturally, we do not deny that diseases must be fought, including viral ones. There is no state of emergency. Therefore, we are not involving the ministry. Nevertheless, I would like to hear your point of view, how do you see this? And perhaps in this situation, you could find your place? Or is there no point for us to involve the Ministry of Emergency Situations at this time?" - the head of state asked.