2019

Camp-fires should Only be Made in Specially Designated Sites

Summer solstice has arrived; it is the time when almost everyone goes out in the nature, makes beautiful decorations from meadow flowers and fills forests with songs. The shortest night of the year is the right time to appreciate the beauty of Latvian nature! JSC “Latvia's State Forests” (LVM) reminds that forest fire period has been declared in the whole territory of the country, therefore fires can only be made in specially designated camp-fire sites.

Edijs Leišavnieks, LVM Forest Protection and Fire Safety Manager, explains that even the smallest fire spark can cause a devastating misfortune. “In Latvia's state forests visitors have the opportunity to move around freely, to enjoy the beauty of nature and to stay overnight in tents. It is strictly forbidden to arbitrarily arrange camp-fire sites in forests. If a camp-fire is made wrongly, it can not only develop into a forest fire, but it also seriously threatens the nearby people, trees, soil and houses. Wooden benches are set up next to the camp-fire sites in the recreation areas of LVM; often there are also tables for visitor convenience. It should be remembered that before leaving, the camp-fire site should be tidied up, making sure that the fire is extinguished by pouring water on it,” reminds Edijs Leišavnieks.

The most common causes of fire are related to careless handling of fire. LVM employees and co-operation partners often come to help the responsible services to limit and prevent forest fires. For example, at the beginning of the month, a timber truck driver selflessly got involved in fire restriction works in LVM Vidusdaugava Region.

“Forest is our job, we must protect it. I was just doing my job when I went to help the State Forest Service in Tīnūži neighbourhood to break the flames of fire that was damaging a pile of branches left after felling works. Part of the branches was saved. Good that I could help. Currently there is a great drought in forests; even the smallest spark can cause great damage to the growing forest. If you see smoke or flames in the forest, call the fire-fighters immediately,” says Gunārs Siņavskis, Timber Transport Manager of JSC “Latvia's State Forests” (LVM).

LVM reminds that during the forest fire period visitors must be very careful and strictly adhere to the fire safety requirements, such as the prohibition to make camp-fires, except in special camp-fire places, to drop burning matches, cigarettes and other objects in the forest, as well as to move with motor vehicles outside roads, since motorized vehicles can be the cause of a devastating forest fire.

LVM's economic activities are carried out by maintaining and recovering forests, taking care of nature conservation, recreation opportunities and increasing timber volumes, as well as investing in expanding the forest land and developing forest infrastructure – renovation of drainage systems and forest road construction.

LVM wishes you happy summer solstice!