2020

Be Responsible in Forest: Keep a Distance and Observe Fire Safety

As the warm and sunny weather persists, more and more people are responding to the call to go out in nature to relax from their daily worries, indulge in physical activities in the fresh air, and discover new forest trails and tourist attractions. Therefore, JSC “Latvia's State Forests” (LVM) reminds nature friends to observe the requirements set in the country during the period of emergency and to keep a distance from each other also at their favourite places of recreation, as well as be careful with fire as drought is increasing in forests.

In order to ensure safety of forest visitors, signs have been set up in forests around LVM tourism sites that remind everyone to observe the safety conditions set in the country.

According to forecasts, the dry and sunny weather will significantly increase the fire risk in forests; therefore, holidaymakers must be responsible and comply with the prescribed fire safety requirements when in forest.

Edijs Leišavnieks, LVM Forest Protection and Fire-fighting Manager, reminds that it is forbidden to make a campfire outside the specially designated areas. Fire and forest are incompatible. For this purpose, LVM has set up special campfire sites in the tourist areas. “It is important to avoid any open flames in forest or in its immediate vicinity. In our experience, careless handling of fire and burning of last year’s grass are the main causes of fire,” tells LVM Forest Protection and Fire-fighting Manager.

The first forest fire in the area managed by LVM was registered on 3 March, when fire damaged 0.001 ha of forest area as a result of unintentional human activity.

Fire in such dry and windy weather can quickly take over a large forest area, destroying not only the growing trees, but also the creatures living there.

LVM also urges drivers of motor vehicles (especially motorcycles and quadricycles) to be careful and responsible when in forest and not drive off forest roads, since smouldering pieces of peat or moss dust heated on the exhaust manifold are enough to cause a forest fire. For this purpose, LVM has also placed warning signs in the forest to inform motorcyclists.

With an increasing number of outdoor recreation enthusiasts in the forests, LVM urges people to be tolerant, understanding and helpful and park their vehicles in specific locations or where they do not impede the movement of other vehicles. LVM also invites everyone to enjoy their meal at one of the more than 300 tourist sites equipped with tables and benches. Upon leaving the forest, remember to take along everything that you brought to the forest.