From 1 May, the State Forest Service is declaring the start of the forest fire danger season throughout the country, which requires adherence to several essential rules. The Service urges all citizens to be particularly careful with fire in the forest.

One of the public functions of the State Forest Service is the supervision of forest fire safety, as well as the detection, containment, and suppression of forest fires. To ensure this, a forest fire danger season is declared during the summer period, which imposes prohibitions and restrictions on all residents. This is stipulated by Cabinet Regulation No. 238 "Fire Safety Regulations," non-compliance with which may result in administrative, civil, and even criminal liability.

To reduce the risk of forest fires, it is prohibited for all individuals, while in forests and bogs during the fire danger season, to:

• drop burning or smouldering matches, cigarette butts, or other objects;
• light campfires, except in specially designated areas that prevent the fire from spreading beyond that point;
• leave campfires unattended;
• burn waste;
• drive motor vehicles through forests and bogs outside of roads;
• carry out any other activity that may cause a fire.

Likewise, without coordination with the nearest State Forest Service office, it is forbidden to perform any burning that creates smoke, as this may mislead observers in fire watch towers. Forest operators must also remember that during the forest fire danger season, logging residues may only be burned in felling areas with the written permission of a State Forest Service ranger on each occasion.

In turn, forest owners must ensure that forest roads and tracks are clear of fallen trees and brush, so that forest fire-fighting vehicles can move freely if necessary. Forest owners should also be aware that after a forest fire has been extinguished on their land, it is their responsibility to monitor the site of the fire.

The State Forest Service reports that 61 forest fires have already been recorded this year, with a total burnt area of 22.29 hectares, including 12.6 hectares of young growth. In 2022, forest fires were extinguished on 391 occasions, covering an area of 221 hectares.