On the prohibition of burning dry vegetation

In spring, when the snow melts and the soil is exposed, as well as in late autumn, some of us start fires by burning withered grass.

People who claim that burning last year's grass is necessary are mistaken themselves and mislead others. Every act of arson is a crime against the fragile world of nature. The main danger lies in provoking forest fires and destroying the biocoenosis of the ecosystem.

On the prohibition of burning dry vegetation

In spring, when the snow melts and the soil is exposed, as well as in late autumn, some of us start fires by burning withered grass. People who claim that burning last year's grass is necessary are mistaken themselves and mislead others. Every act of arson is a crime against the fragile world of nature. The main danger lies in provoking forest fires and destroying the biocoenosis of the ecosystem.

TEN COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT GRASS FIRES:

 1. A grass fire will stop on its own and poses no threat to adjacent areas.

 2. Grass fires have no effect on people's health.

 3. Grass fires stimulate the growth of new vegetation.

 4. Animals and birds will have time to escape or fly away from the fire.

 5. It is necessary to clear the soil of pest larvae and weed seeds.

 6. A grass fire is an effective prevention against outbreaks of tick-borne encephalitis, as ticks die in the fire.

 7. Nothing has grown yet, and nothing is visible in the grass.

 8. The grass will burn quickly, and the soil will not be affected.

 9. It is believed to be a way to "warm up" the soil, introduce fertilizers in the form of ash into the soil, as a result of which grass appears faster and grows better on burnt areas.

10. A grass fire has no long-term consequences: it burns today and starts growing tomorrow, quickly and effectively.

WHY YOU SHOULD NOT BURN GRASS AND WHAT IT LEADS TO:

1. Grass fires lead to a significant decrease in soil fertility. The burning of organic matter is the main factor reducing soil fertility. Dry grass burning depletes the soil; mineral substances contained in ash are easily washed away by surface and groundwater, and only a small portion is absorbed by plants.

2. Fires are one of the main sources of carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere related to human economic activities. In case of frequent fires, not only dry grass but also dead organic matter accumulated in the soil burns, consequently increasing carbon dioxide emissions. This, in turn, intensifies the so-called "greenhouse effect," leading to adverse climate changes and fluctuations.

3. As a result of burning dry grass, the species composition of meadow vegetation and wildlife is depleted. Wherever fires have occurred, the former diversity of herbaceous plants will be lost, and weeds will take over the cleared areas.

4. Many insects, their larvae, and pupae perish. All living creatures burn in the fire – ladybugs, ground beetles, earthworms, and others that destroy various garden and vegetable pests and participate in soil formation. For earthworms, there is no such thing as excess dry grass; they efficiently and quickly process it, turning it into valuable fertilizer, incorporating it into the soil depth near plant roots, and simultaneously making the soil loose and alive. Dry grass from the previous year is not waste but priceless nutrition, a habitat, a shelter, and conditions for life created by nature itself.

5. Burning dry grass causes the destruction of clutches and nesting sites of birds such as the mallard, garganey, lapwing, redshank, snipe, reed bunting, corn bunting, skylark, woodlark, and meadow pipit. The nesting period for these birds begins in early April. Birds leave the burned areas, and thus they leave us.

6. During a severe grass fire, almost all animals living in dry grass or on the soil surface (hares, hedgehogs, amphibians) perish. Some burn, while others suffocate in the smoke. Burned bird nests with traces of eggs, scorched snails, rodents, and small mammals are very often found at fire sites.

7. Spring burning damages trees, especially their root collar – a very vulnerable spot just above the ground. Not to mention that trees can simply burn, and the buds swelling in spring can get scorched by intense heat, which is very harmful to the tree, even if it survives.

8. The smoke from burning grass is acrid, dark, and dense. Allergy sufferers cannot tolerate it. When burning grass in cities, along highways, heavy metal salts that have settled on leaves and grass get into the air – such smoke is simply poisonous. Often, garbage is hidden in dry grass, including items dangerous for burning – plastic bottles, etc. In areas contaminated with radionuclides, radioactive substances enter the air with fire and smoke, which are carried by the wind over considerable distances. In rural areas, fertilizer and pesticide residues burn, forming volatile toxic organic and inorganic compounds.

9. Burning often leads to peat fires and forest fires. Annually, 10-12% of forest fires in the republic are caused by spring burning.

 If you notice a fire, do not pass by. You can extinguish burning grass yourself. If you smell smoke, approach and determine what is burning. Douse the fire with water from a nearby body of water or cover it with earth.

After extinguishing the fire, do not leave until you are sure that the fire will not reignite. If you cannot extinguish the fire on your own, move to a safe place and immediately notify the Ministry of Emergency Situations units or officials of the state forest guard.

LIABILITY FOR BURNING DRY VEGETATION

 In accordance with Article 16.40 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Republic of Belarus:

• illegal burning of dry vegetation, standing grass, as well as stubble and post-harvest residues in fields, or failure to take measures to extinguish fires on land plots, shall result in administrative liability in the form of a fine ranging from ten to thirty basic units;

In accordance with Article 16.41 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Republic of Belarus:

• for lighting fires in prohibited areas, a fine of up to twelve basic units is imposed.

REMEMBER: EVERY ACT OF ARSON IS A CRIME AGAINST NATURE.

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