After the weather warmed up and the meadows dried up, the spring burning of last year’s grass began. In the past day, firefighters and rescuers went to the territories of Panevėžys and Utena counties 7 times to put out burning grass.
It is necessary to know that it is forbidden to burn waste of natural origin (leaves, branches) in cities and towns. Green waste collection sites are intended for such waste. In rural areas, dry grass and fallen leaves can be burned by raking them into a pile, but bonfires are allowed no closer than 30 m from buildings, structures of flammable structures and places where flammable materials are stored. It is prohibited to burn collected (raked) plants, their parts or piles in the forest, high marshes, peaty areas and closer than 50 meters from them.
With the start of spring and the warming of the weather, many people like to cook outside, firemen remind us that it is allowed to use solid fuel barbecues, smokehouses, household stoves, outdoor fireplaces, fireplaces no closer than 6 m from buildings.
Penalties for non-compliance with fire safety rules and burning dry grass:
- Violation of the requirements of forest fire protection entails a warning or a fine for persons from 30 to 170 euros;
- Destruction or damage to the forest by setting it on fire or careless handling of fire, as well as any other violation of forest fire protection requirements that caused a forest fire or its spread, incurs a fine for individuals from 560 to 2300 euros;
- Burning dry grass, reeds, fallen tree leaves, straw, forestry and horticulture waste in violation of environmental protection requirements will result in a fine for individuals from 30 to 300 euros;
- Failure to take fire protection measures after noticing a fire of stubble or unraked (uncollected) straw on your land will result in a fine of between 30 and 170 euros for land owners, users and managers.
In order to suppress those who burn last year’s grass, the preventive campaign “Don’t burn the grass” will be carried out and, in cooperation with the State Forest Offices and employees of the Department of Environmental Protection, raids will be organized in open areas. During raids, if grass burners are found, administrative measures will be applied.
