Over the past 24 hours, the State Emergency Service responded to calls to extinguish fires in the ecosystems of the Kyiv region 20 times. The total area of the fires was more than 18 hectares.
This was reported by the Main Directorate of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in the Kyiv region on March 12.
Rescuers from the Buchansky district extinguished the fire in the villages of Gostomel and Borodyanka, and in the village of Zahaltsy. The State Emergency Service of the Fastiv region worked in the villages of Danylivka, Hatne, and Velyka Ofirna.
Emergency services, as well as the Kyiv City State Administration, urge not to burn dry grass and leaves. The Kyiv City State Administration talks about the negative consequences:
- The fertile soil layer is destroyed, which can take 5-6 years to restore;
- animals and birds are dying: hedgehogs, hares, frogs, reptiles;
- Substances harmful to human health enter the air.
Residents of Kyiv and the region are asked to follow fire safety rules:
- do not burn dry vegetation, grass or stubble;
- do not throw cigarette butts and matches into dry grass;
- Be careful with open fire when outdoors and working on agricultural land.
They also remind about the fines for smoking grass 3060 – 6120 UAH. If the fire occurred on the territory of a nature reserve fund, the fine will be higher – from 6120 to 12,240 UAH. And for officials it will reach 30,600 UAH.
Criminal liability
Destruction or damage to forests, green spaces around settlements, along railways, as well as stubble, dry wild grasses, vegetation or its remains on agricultural lands provides for a fine of 91,800 to 153,000 UAH , or restriction of liberty for a term of 2 to 5 years , or imprisonment for the same term .
If the arson led to serious consequences, such as the death of people, mass animal deaths, or other serious consequences, the punishment is imprisonment for 5 to 10 years .
What to do with dry leaves
The Department of Environmental Protection and Climate Change Adaptation of the Kyiv City State Administration notes that there are safe and effective ways to dispose of plant residues. In particular, composting – organic waste is converted into natural fertilizer. As well as mulching – creating a protective layer.