Forestry Agency calls for caution to prevent fires amid heatwave
The Agency cited statistics showing carelessness as the primary cause of forest fires, which it said could have “catastrophic results”, and urged the public to comply with established safety regulations and prohibitions. Photo: Emergency Management Service/Facebook
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The National Forestry Agency on Wednesday called for caution among the public to prevent fires from breaking out due to the summer heatwave across the country.
The Agency cited statistics showing carelessness as the primary cause of forest fires, which it said could have “catastrophic results”, and urged the public to comply with established safety regulations and prohibitions.
The latter message included the body noting norms on safe starting of bonfires by removing flammable objects - including hay, dry grass, leaves and wood - from within a 1.5-metre distance of fire pits.
It also said starting of fires was prohibited on state forest property in areas under tree trunks, in young forests and old fireplaces, forest areas damaged by wind, production residue in uncleared forests, in areas where manufactured wood is not extracted, as well as peaty and dry grass areas.
The Agency also added violation of forest fire safety regulations that caused a fire, spread to a specific region, or led to forests being destroyed or damaged due to arson or careless handling would result in fines of ₾300-500 ($115-191), and noted individuals responsible for them would face imprisonment for between four to eight years.
Georgian border police helicopters have been involved in combating forest fires in the eastern Kvareli municipality, which erupted near the village of Shilda on Friday, the Georgian Emergency Management Service said on Saturday.
The main sources of fire in Georgia’s central-western Borjomi Municipality have been eliminated on the ninth day after the eruption of the blaze, the Georgian Interior Ministry said on Saturday.
The Emergency Management Service of Georgia on Wednesday called on the public to “act cautiously” to prevent fires breaking out in the country, citing the National Environment Agency as saying hot and dry weather, as well as strong winds, were forecast across the country until next Monday.
The Emergency Management Service of Georgia has warned the public about the rise in air temperature in Georgia’s east in the coming days, noting the development would increase the risk of forest and field fires.
Georgia’s National Environment Agency on Monday said a heatwave was expected to raise temperatures across the country this week, with areas in the west of the country set to see 41 degrees.
The Emergency Management Service of Georgia on Tuesday warned the public about the rise in air temperature throughout the country over the coming days and noted the development would increase the risk of forest and field fires.
Members of the Green Climate Fund delegation, the largest fund assisting developing countries to meet their climate change goals, visited Georgia to review the protection of forests in the country, as part of the ECO.Georgia project, the Environment Ministry said on Sunday.