Hot summer 2001…

It was hot not only in the Pskov region, but throughout Russia. Consequences of the heat: an abundance of swimming, sunbathing ... and forest fires. Today we decided to find out how things are with the fire hazard situation in the forests of our region. Sergey Sychev, deputy head of the regional department of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, helped us with this:

• Paradoxically, this summer turned out to be quite calm, if we talk about forest fires. The last one was extinguished in the Velikoluksky district in the second half of July - then about fifteen hectares of forest burned. And compared to our neighbors - the regions of the North-West region - the situation here is quite optimistic: our forests burned the least.

First of all, very active and competent preparation of the forces of the Ministry of Emergency Situations for the summer period affects here. The readiness of the most fire hazardous areas was inspected. They checked the quality of communication, the presence of fuels and lubricants, the performance of equipment.

Aerial and ground reconnaissance is currently underway. Air is carried out with the help of a helicopter and two aircraft, one of which is capable of dropping half a ton of water at a time onto fires.

In the districts of the region, entry into the forest is partially prohibited, and bonfires are limited. Probably, the sad experience of 1999, when the south of the region was on fire: Usvyatsky, Nevelsky, Velikoluksky districts.

The second reason for such a successful development of events, surprisingly, is the heat. As you know, the main cause of fires is human negligence, and only then only natural phenomena. In the same year, there were few “forest pests” under the crowns of trees: the berries did not bear fruit, and even fewer mushrooms. It is better to go to the river, fry in the sun.

The most dangerous months are May, when the grass falls, and August. May has passed, August is in the yard. The weather was predicted to be cool and rainy. Mushrooms will hit the growth, mushroom pickers will go hunting ... and if they are not careful with fire, expect trouble.

Therefore, we remind you again and again: citizens, put out matches and bonfires, but it’s better not to light them.