Forest fires raging at seven locations across Georgia

Forest fires are currently raging at seven locations across Georgia, reports the Georgian Emergency Management Service. 

During last 10 days, fires were reported at 43 locations of Georgia, on a total area of 546 hectares, said the Minister of Environment Protection Levan Davitashvili earlier today. He added that 18 new fires were reported only yesterday. 

"One of the severe consequences of climate change is the increasing number of forest fires," said Davitashvili.

Levan Davitashvili said that rainfall in Georgia has decreased some 20-40 per cent, and added that the risk of emerging forest fires is high because of the dried soil and grass. Davitashvili urged the population to be cautious. The Ministry of Environment Protection also urged the population not to burn waste left over from work on plots, pastures and lawns.

Georgian Emergency Management Service says that forest fires in the protected areas of Borjomi-Kharagauli forest and Kobuleti managed reserve have been extinguished. An area of 1,500 square metres was burnt in Borjomi-Kharagauli forest, while about three hectares were burnt in Kobuleti managed reserve.

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The number of forest fires and the area of burnt territories are distributed among regions as follows:

• Kakheti - 18 locations, 168 hectares
• Samtskhe - Javakheti - one location, 1 hectare
• Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svantei - three locations, 60 hectares
• Kvemo Kartli - five locations, 65 hectares
• Shida Kartli - two locations, 15 hectares
• Guria - four locations, 8.5 hectares
• Imereti - five locations, 16 hectares
• Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti - four locations, 200 hectares
• Mtskheta-Mtianeti - one location, 10 hectares

About 1000 firefighters, 150 foresters and four helicopters are involved in combat against forest fires throughout Georgia at the moment.