Forest fires

In 90% of cases, forest fires occur due to human negligence, criminal negligence: an unlit fire, an abandoned cigarette butt, a faulty vehicle muffler, abandoned glassware in nature, smoldering cartridge wad, uncontrolled annealing of last year's grass and more. The most fire-hazardous periods are mid-spring, summer and early autumn, when the soil is covered with dry grass and foliage, hot weather lasts in the absence of precipitation for more than a week.
There are several types of forest fires: grassroots, riding and peat.
A grass-roots fire most often occurs in deciduous forests, while the height of the flame can reach up to 2 m, the propagation speed does not exceed 1.5 km / h. Riding fire occurs more often in coniferous forests, the speed of its spread in calm weather reaches 3-4 km / h, and in windy 25-30 km / h or more.

If you find yourself in the forest near the source of the fire, and you have no way to localize it, then you need to quickly exit perpendicular to the direction of movement of the fire. If it is impossible to escape from the fire, enter the pond or lie down on the ground, covered with wet clothes. In case of heavy smoke, it is better to breathe near the ground, while covering your mouth and nose with any cloth folded in several layers.

Currently, many vacationers go to nature. To prevent the possible occurrence of a fire, it is necessary to know and observe the following: do not make fires in coniferous young trees, in places with the presence of dry grass, in forest areas exposed to windfall, windbreak, in cutting areas not cleaned from felling residues. It is necessary to build a fire in open, specially equipped places, surrounding it with a mineralized strip of at least 0.5 m. When necessary, the fire should be filled with water or covered with earth. Do not throw burning matches and cigarette butts, do not smoke and do not use an open fire near flammable liquids and materials. If you notice a fire starting in the forest, immediately inform the administration of the rural district, forestry, fire service by phone "101" or "112".
Remember that not only our nature and fauna, but also the safety of people, their life and health depend on your actions to prevent a fire.

Press service of the Emergency Department of the Almaty region