The state enterprise “Forests of Ukraine” calls on local authorities to reinstate a total ban on visiting forests across the country due to massive fires, the state enterprise reported on its Telegram channel.
“Currently, the country is facing the most acute situation with forest fires since the beginning of the year. Over the past week, there have been more than one and a half hundred fires on an area of 341 hectares! The reason is massive shelling, downed missiles and drones,” the message says.
According to the Forest of Ukraine, the worst situation was recorded in Kirovohrad region, where 115 hectares of forest burned due to the detonation of missile warheads. In addition, fires on 54.9 hectares were extinguished in Kharkiv region over the week. Nearly 50 hectares of fires were extinguished in the frontline Sumy region. Due to the attacks of the “Shahed” on the capital, foresters in Kyiv region extinguished dozens of fires covering an area of 24.6 hectares.
“It hasn’t rained for many weeks in most regions of the country. The fire spreads instantly! The forest guard is working at maximum capacity. The average fire area has not increased. We are using all available means to stabilize the situation so that the 2020 disaster does not happen again,” the state enterprise explained.
The Forests of Ukraine noted that it is becoming increasingly difficult to extinguish fires, as the fire is spreading from the frontline forestry enterprises of the State Forestry Agency and the territories of the nature reserve fund. At the same time, a significant number of fires are caused by the human factor.
“We ask everyone not to visit forests during this period! We appeal to local authorities to reinstate the total ban on visiting forests across the country. This will reduce the burden on our response forces, which are eliminating the consequences of enemy attacks,” summarized the Forests of Ukraine and asked those wishing to go outdoors exclusively in the territory of recreational centers.
Source: https://interfax.com.ua/
