A forest fire hazard period has been declared across the country since 1 April. Information compiled by AS "Latvijas valsts meži" (LVM) shows that 37 forest fires of varying size broke out in April, with the flames affecting almost 26 hectares of forest land.

As warmer and drier weather sets in, the fire risk in forests gradually increases, particularly at times when rainfall is insufficient to reduce the risk of ignition.

Compared with 2025, when 32 forest fires were recorded by the end of April, the area affected by fire this year is four times larger. It should be noted that 2025 saw the lowest number of forest fires and the smallest burnt area in state forest territories since LVM was founded.

Edijs Leišavnieks, Head of the LVM Forest Protection Division, explains:

"We have observed that, on average, 33% of all fires recorded in the country break out in Latvia's state forest territory. During the fire hazard period, people must be especially careful with fire in the forest and comply with fire safety requirements so that no major fire disaster occurs. When analysing the causes of the fires, in most cases the likely reason identified is careless or irresponsible human behaviour."

Of the forest fires recorded this year, one has been classed as a case of arson. Three forest fires broke out as a result of short circuits in power lines – growing trees fell onto the wires in strong winds.

Dry weather over the May holidays

In the first days of May, the largest forest fire of the year so far in the territory managed by LVM broke out – a fire covering 6.5 hectares was extinguished in the Zilo kalnu district of the Ziemeļkurzeme region. After a two-day battle with the flames, the area was kept under surveillance in the following days, as the forest fire had broken out in a territory close to the "Ances purvi un meži" nature reserve.

On 4 May, a destructive fire also broke out in the Ziemeļlatgale region, where a fire covering 2 hectares was extinguished near Lubāna.

LVM reminds the public that during the forest fire hazard period it is prohibited to:

light campfires in unauthorised places,

drop burning or smouldering objects, such as cigarette butts,

burn waste or dry grass near a forest.

The shared responsibility of every resident is essential in order to prevent fires from breaking out and to protect Latvia's forests. If you spot a forest fire, call the single emergency number 112 immediately and give the location as precisely as possible, so that forest firefighters can begin containment work in good time.