Setting dry grass on fire: danger and responsibility
Annually, the Ministry of Emergency Situations faces the problem of dry grass fires and an increase in the number of fires caused by burning dry vegetation.
Fires have become a powerful destructive factor for the environment. Burning dry grass damages the root systems of plants, high temperatures deplete soil and vegetation, destroy the fertile layer, and kill beneficial shoots, insects, and animals. The smoke released during the burning of dry grass and debris is highly toxic, harms human health, and causes irreparable damage to the ecology.
Often, the fire spreads to forest areas and can escalate into threatening peat and forest fires.
Very often, residential buildings, outbuildings, and livestock sheds catch fire from burning grass, and people suffer burns, and sometimes fatalities occur.
As of September 17, 2024, the Vitebsk region has recorded 105 natural fires (13 forest, 1 peat, and 91 grass and shrub fires) over a total area of 19 hectares. From the beginning of September to September 17 alone, there were 20 fires (8 forest, 1 peat, and 11 grass and shrub fires).
We would like to highlight another issue. Many city dwellers go to the forests for outdoor recreation. They often make campfires for warmth and cooking. However, when leaving their recreation spot, they leave behind not only piles of garbage but also unextinguished campfires.
The Ministry of Emergency Situations strongly recommends observing the following rules:
- Do not leave unextinguished campfires, matches, cigarette butts, or glass bottles (which act as magnifying glasses in the sun, focusing sunlight and igniting grass, moss, etc.) in recreation areas;
- Do not ignore burning grass. If you cannot extinguish the fire yourself, report the fires to the duty service of the Ministry of Emergency Situations by calling 101 or 112;
- on the adjacent territory, land plots provided for collective gardening or dacha construction,
burning of dry vegetation on the root is not allowed;
- places for bonfires must be cleared of combustible substances and materials, dry vegetation and equipped with extinguishing means. The process of burning and smoldering must be carried out in such a way that flames and sparks do not fall on building elements, structures,
while the distance to protruding parts of buildings, structures
from special cooking appliances must not be less than 2 meters, from bonfire sites – less than 8 meters.
- talk to children and explain that under no circumstances should they light a bonfire themselves, throw unknown objects and aerosol cans into it.
In accordance with Article 16.40 of the Code of the Republic of Belarus on Administrative Offenses, responsibility is provided for burning dry vegetation, grasses on the root, as well as stubble and post-harvest residues in fields or for failure to take measures to extinguish fires — a fine of 10 to 30 base units. Persons authorized to draw up protocols on administrative offenses under Art. 16.40 of the Code of the Republic of Belarus on Administrative Offenses "Illegal burning of dry vegetation, grasses on the root, as well as stubble and post-harvest residues in fields or failure to take measures to extinguish fires":
1. Bodies of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection.
2. State environmental institutions managing reserves and national parks.
3. Bodies exercising state control in the field of use, protection, defense and reproduction of forests.
In accordance with Article 16.41, for lighting bonfires in prohibited places, a fine of up to 12 base units is imposed. In case of damage of a particularly large scale, criminal liability arises (Art. 270, 276 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus). Persons authorized to draw up protocols on administrative offenses under Art. 16.40 of the Code of the Republic of Belarus on Administrative Offenses "Lighting bonfires in prohibited places":
1. State environmental protection institutions managing nature reserves and national parks.
2. Bodies exercising state control over land use and protection.
3. Bodies exercising state control in the field of forest use, protection, conservation, and reproduction.
4. Bodies of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection.