How is the protection of the Vitebsk region's forest fund from fires organized?
On weekdays and weekends, duty shifts are organized in all forestry enterprises and forestries. Ground route patrols and information and awareness campaigns are conducted among the population to supervise fire safety in forests and prevent forest fires. A whole range of works on fire-prevention arrangement of forests is also being carried out. To promptly detect fires, 68 video surveillance cameras operate continuously in automatic mode in the forestry enterprises.
To ensure the safety of people, their property, and the forest fund, bans or restrictions on visiting forests are introduced, depending on the class of fire hazard, which are approved by decisions of district executive committees.
Today, with the onset of fire hazard class 3, restrictions on visiting forests have been introduced in all regions of the oblast.
With restrictions, it is allowed to enter the forest on foot, but it is forbidden to drive mechanical vehicles into the forest area. It is forbidden to light fires in coniferous stands and young forests, in areas of damaged forest plantations, peatlands, in logging areas not cleared of logging residues and harvested timber, and in places with dried grass. It is forbidden to leave oiled materials or materials soaked in flammable liquids and other combustible substances in the forest, as this can lead to self-ignition.
A particular danger to the forest fund today is the uncontrolled burning of garbage, and the burning of dry vegetation and bushes, which leads to the spread and transfer of fire to the forest fund or residential buildings and utility structures.
It should be remembered that for burning dry vegetation on the root, post-harvest residues, as well as failure to take measures to extinguish fires, or violation of fire safety requirements in forests and peatlands, which led to the destruction or damage of forests or peatlands, administrative liability of up to 30 basic units is provided, and in case a person violates the ban on visiting forests, this threatens with fines of up to 12 basic units.
In order to promptly track which regions are implementing these measures, you can visit the website of the Ministry of Forestry, where a special interactive map with up-to-date information is posted.
The restriction on visiting forest and peatland areas will be lifted when I or II classes of natural forest flammability are established.
In case of detecting a forest fire, report the incident to the nearest forestry, forest management enterprise, or the duty officer at Vitebsk GPLKHO by phone 65-14-15, or mobile +375 33 310 28.