Forest service workers are warning that the country’s forests face increasing chances of fire breaking out due to high temperatures and dry underbrush.

Since 21 June, over 900 fires have been recorded and state services noted 120 forest fires on Sunday alone.

Pawel Fratczak, commander of the National Fire Brigade announced that, if the humidity levels in Poland’s forests remains below 10 percent for another five days, forests will be closed and entrance will be banned.

“The forests are increasingly dangerous, though fires are not as bad as they have been in previous years because we are closely monitoring the situation,” state Fratczak.

The commander asks that people refrain from lighting camp fires, smoking cigarettes and burning trash even 100 metres near a forest. As well, fire services have banned grilling in and near forests. Violating the bans could garner a fine of up to 500 zloty (about 120 euro).

This year, the national fire budget to fight forest fires amounts to about 70 million zloty (about 22 million euro) and encompasses 640 above-ground observation towers, 7 patrol planes, 25 planes equipped with equipment to extinguish a fire and seven helicopters.

Last year, 3,400 fires were registered in the national forests, burning about 970 hectares. (mmj)

Source: PAP