A large-scale forest fire is being extinguished in the Kyiv region. The fire broke out in the Buchansky district.
This was reported today, May 7, by the State Emergency Service of Ukraine.
It is noted that due to the abnormal spring heat and strong gusts of wind, the flames spread rapidly near the village of Tarasivshchyna.
“The fire has engulfed 70 hectares of forest floor and 30 hectares of open territory,” the report says.
The fire is being extinguished by rescuers of the State Emergency Service, employees of the Dymer Forestry Department, fire departments of the National Guard, and volunteers of the Red Cross rapid response unit. At 6:30 p.m., the fire was localized and the State Emergency Service was informed.
The day before, on May 6, the State Emergency Service reported that over 11,000 wildfires broke out in Ukraine in the first 4 months of this year. As a result, 27 people died and 32 were injured. About 350 of the total fires occurred due to Russian shelling, all the others were caused by human negligence or deliberate burning of dry vegetation.
Rescuers remind that it is important to follow fire safety rules while in the forest:
- do not light a fire in undesignated places, do not leave it unattended
- Before leaving, be sure to thoroughly extinguish the fire with water or cover it with earth.
- do not throw cigarette butts and matches on the ground, especially in dry weather
- do not burn dry vegetation
- If you notice a fire or smoke, immediately call 101.
Rescuers also inform that burning dry vegetation is subject to administrative liability. For citizens, fines range from 3,060 to 6,120 UAH, for officials, up to 30,600 UAH. In the territories of the nature reserve fund, the fine may increase to 12,240 UAH.