State Emergency Service urges public to avoid outdoor fires during Easter holidays 

Emergency services are urging Ukrainians to exercise extreme caution when spending time outdoors during the Easter holidays. Due to the high risk of forest fires and the danger of encountering explosive ordnance in forests and parks, officials strongly advise against lighting open fires.

This was emphasized by Roman Tsyren, head of the Emergency Prevention Department of the State Emergency Service (SES), during a briefing at the Media Center Ukraine.

“As we know, the territory of our country has suffered significantly from explosive hazards. Some territories have been de-occupied, and large quantities of unexploded ordnance continue to be found there. In particular, I discourage the lighting of campfires, as this year has seen a dramatic 68% increase in ecosystem fires,” Tsyren explained.

He noted that ignoring basic safety rules not only endangers nature, but also significantly hampers rescue efforts.

“If citizens ignore these precautions and light fires, the SES will be forced to divert personnel from community patrols to respond to wildfires. In addition, we will have to issue fines – over 1,000 fines have already been issued this year alone for unauthorized burning of vegetation, which causes significant damage,” Tsyren added.

He also urged citizens to be vigilant about the possibility of encountering explosive objects during outdoor activities.

“I strongly discourage people from lighting fires in forests or natural areas. Especially when people are resting outdoors, they should check the place where they want to relax to make sure that there are no explosive objects or objects resembling them. If such items are found, contact the National Police or the SES immediately. Restrict access to the area until specialists arrive to neutralize the threat – our teams are ready to respond,” Tsyren concluded

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