The Ministry of Emergency Situations reminds you! Be careful with fire when tidying up your yard!

It should be noted that in Belarus, persons found guilty of illegally burning dry vegetation, standing crops, as well as stubble and post-harvest residues in fields, or failing to take measures to extinguish fires, shall be

subject to administrative liability in the form of a fine ranging from 10 to 30 basic units.

It should be noted that in Belarus, persons found guilty of illegally burning dry vegetation, standing crops, as well as stubble and post-harvest residues in fields, or failing to take measures to extinguish fires, shall be

subject to administrative liability in the form of a fine ranging from 10 to 30 basic units. For lighting fires in prohibited areas, a fine of up to 12 basic units may be imposed. In case of causing damage of a particularly large scale, criminal liability shall ensue.

If you have decided to light a fire on your property, you should not neglect simple precautionary measures. When choosing methods for disposing of dry vegetation and post-harvest residues, the following conditions must be met:

– fires should be lit only if citizens ensure

continuous visual monitoring of the burning and smoldering process;

– areas for lighting fires must be cleared of combustible

substances and materials, and dry vegetation. It is recommended to dig a trench around the fire site or to light it in a special non-combustible container.

– extinguishing means must be readily available, including primary fire extinguishing equipment, containers with loose materials, etc.;

– the burning and smoldering process must be carried out in such a way that flames and sparks do not fall on combustible elements of buildings, outbuildings and structures, or on stored combustible

substances and materials. The safe distance shall be determined by the citizen independently based on the size of the fire, the type of combustible materials, and weather conditions;

– upon completion of the burning process, the remaining burning (smoldering) materials must be extinguished until smoldering completely ceases.

It is prohibited:

– to burn dry standing vegetation on the adjacent

territory, land plots provided for collective gardening or dacha construction;

– to light fires on peat soils, under tree canopies;

– to use flammable and combustible liquids.

Annually, EMERCOM employees identify careless handling of fire by citizens and the burning of dry vegetation, i.e., the human factor, among the main causes of fires in natural ecosystems.

Most often, pensioners tidying up their plots become victims of such fires.