Fires have burned more than 92,000 hectares of land since the beginning of the year, according to Ukraine's State Emergency Service

With the warming weather, the number of fires in Ukraine's regions has increased – the sad statistics are updated daily. Since the beginning of the year, as of March 11, there have been 660 fires in ecosystems, with 175 on March 10 alone. Most of the fires were caused by Ukrainians themselves burning dry vegetation on their farms.

This was reported by the State Emergency Service of Ukraine.

The next day, firefighters reported another 206 fires, covering an area of over 82,000 hectares.

The State Emergency Service once again urges people not to burn dry vegetation, as the wind can instantly spread the fire and increase its scale. At the same time, smoke is extremely harmful to people themselves, and while rescuers are extinguishing a fire caused by someone's negligence, a residential building may be burning somewhere else.

Source: facebook.com/DSNS.GOV.UA

Where are the most fires occurring?

According to emergency officials, the Ivano-Frankivsk and Lviv regions are facing the worst situation. In each of these regions, more than 60 fires have been reported.

Many fires have also occurred in Zhytomyr, Volyn, Rivne, and Chernivtsi regions.

The fire is already claiming human lives

In the village of Novyi Yarychiv, Lviv district, on March 11, a fire engulfed 100 m² of dry grass. When firefighters brought the blaze under control, it turned out that a man born in 1970 had died in the fire.

Source: facebook.com/DSNS.GOV.UA

Animals are suffering as well

The fire destroys the habitats of animals, including hedgehogs, hares, and birds. Recently, in Ivano-Frankivsk region, emergency responders, while on patrol, saw a column of smoke – dry grass was burning again. An SESU officer on-site spotted a hedgehog, and the animal was carried out of the fire and smoke.

But this is just an isolated instance where a living creature was saved.

Source: facebook.com/DSNS.GOV.UA

EcoPolitic had previously reported that for burning dry vegetation, fines are stipulated.

If the fire causes significant damage, the arsonist will become the subject of criminal proceedings.