Why is it forbidden to burn grass and what are its consequences

Grass fires lead to a significant decrease in soil fertility. The burning of organic matter is the main factor reducing soil fertility.

Burning dry grass depletes the soil; mineral substances contained in the ash are easily washed away by surface and groundwater, and only a small portion of them is absorbed by plants.

Fires are one of the main sources of carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere related to human economic activities. With excessively 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 changes and climate fluctuations.

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 meadow grasses will be lost, and weeds will take over the cleared territory.
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 the soil formation process. Dry grass from the previous year is not waste but invaluable nutrition, a dwelling, a shelter, and living conditions created by nature itself.

Burning dry vegetation 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.
During a severe grass fire, practically all animals living in dry grass or on the soil surface (hares, hedgehogs, amphibians) perish. Some burn, while others suffocate in the smoke.

In accordance with Article 20 of the Law of the Republic of Belarus "On the Plant World," the burning of dry vegetation (dry wild plants) and its residue in situ is prohibited.