The State Forest Service has already extinguished 28 forest fires this year, the majority of which have been in the territory of the Zemgale and Riga regional forest districts. In total, the area affected by fire is not large, with damage caused to 5.44 ha of forest. As the weather becomes drier and warmer, the risk of forest fires is increasing.

In the forests of northern and eastern Latvia, snow can still be found in places, whereas in the Kurzeme and Zemgale regions, the snow cover has melted, which increases the risk of forest fires starting. As the weather turns warmer and drier, the fire hazard is also increasing in the rest of the country.

This year, the State Forest Service has already registered and extinguished 28 forest fires, with fire affecting 5.44 ha of forest land. Eight of these forest fires were in the territory of the Zemgale forest district. Several forest fires occurred last Saturday, caused by power lines being brought down by strong winds. In other cases, the forest fires were caused by human carelessness with fire.

Every year, taking weather conditions into account, the State Forest Service determines the start of the forest fire danger period throughout the territory of Latvia. During this period, when visiting forests and bogs, the public is prohibited from several activities, such as driving motor vehicles through forests and bogs off-road, leaving campfires unattended, and burning waste. During the fire danger period, campfires are permitted only in specially designated places. The State Forest Service suggests that when going for a walk in the forest to enjoy the beauty of nature, it is better to leave matches and lighters at home. The vast majority of forest fires start precisely due to reckless human behaviour with fire. The Service will monitor weather conditions and the situation in the forests and, as soon as the fire hazard increases, will set the start date for the fire danger period.

In 2021, the State Forest Service discovered and extinguished 466 forest fires, with a total forest land area affected by fire of 505 ha.