A couple of years ago, we had a major lesson when 1,300 hectares burnt down at Valdgale near Stiklu purvs. It was the push we needed to acquire the equipment necessary for extinguishing fires – quad bikes, which allow us to transport everything needed for firefighting into the forest much faster.

We also realised how important modern smartphones are at this moment, with programmes that can be used on both phones and computers. If we had been without this new equipment during the time of isolation, it would have been much more difficult for us.”

But isn't it the case that graduates fresh from the Faculty of Forestry know more about computers than the forest? Uldis Frīdenbergs agrees, but explains: “Young people are the ones we must work with and teach. They are receptive, with a solid knowledge base gained in school and university. And when it comes to new technologies, they are more knowledgeable than we are.”