05 • 06 • 2018

Let Us Do Our Best to Protect Forests from Fire

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Due to the prolonged hot and dry weather, there is a high fire risk throughout the country, therefore everyone should be particularly cautious and responsible when in a forest.

Since the beginning of the hazardous period of forest fires, more than 40 hectares of forest land managed by JSC "Latvia's State Forests" (LVM) have been damaged by flames; 15 hectares of this area were covered by young stands.

The result of a failure to observe the fire safety requirements could be well seen on 30 May, when a fire broke out in LVM Mērsrags Forest District (at around 17:00), destroying about 13 hectares of forest. Fire damage was aggravated by strong wind, which made it harder to limit the forest fire. Representatives of the State Forest Service, LVM, the State Fire and Rescue Service, as well as the National Armed Forces took part in the extinguishing of the fire.

LVM reminds that, according to the order of the State Forest Service, as of 27 April, a hazardous period of forest fires has been set for the entire territory of the country, and every inhabitant has to comply with the fire safety regulations that stipulate that it is prohibited to do the following when in forests and marshes:

  • To drop burning or smouldering matches, cigarette butts or other items;
  • To make fires (except in specially arranged sites, which prevent fire from spreading outside);
  • To leave fires unattended;
  • To burn waste;
  • To drive motor vehicles in forests and marshes off the roads;
  • To perform any other activities that may cause a fire.
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