Increased Risk of Fire Outbreaks and Spread: Prohibitions in Place

In the regions of Shirak, Aragatsotn, Kotayk, Vayots Dzor foothills, the Ararat plain, and the valleys of Syunik, a high level of fire danger is expected over the next five days. Due to increased temperatures across the Republic, the risk of fire outbreak and spread in forests and grassy areas has risen significantly.

The emergency services urge the public to adhere to fire safety regulations. To prevent fires in forested and grassy areas, the following actions are prohibited:

• Lighting campfires in unauthorized locations; if absolutely necessary, this can only be done in open areas surrounded by a mineralized strip no less than 5 meters, and must be extinguished with water or covered with soil afterwards.
• Leaving bottles or glass shards in open areas, as they can concentrate sunlight and become incendiary lenses.
• Throwing away burning matches or cigarette remnants.
• Smoking or using open flames near containers or vehicles loaded with fuel.
• Burning dry grass or pigweed.
• Leaving or discarding rags soaked in oil, gasoline, kerosene, or other flammable liquids.

“Dear citizens, please adhere to fire safety regulations. Care for the biodiversity of your environment, and if you notice a fire, immediately call the Ministry of Emergency Situations at 911,” the report emphasizes.

As a reminder, the law on administrative offenses in Armenia stipulates that causing damage to trees, shrubs, and crops in forests through arson or careless handling of fire can incur fines ranging from a minimum wage up to 150,000 drams. Burning pigweed, plant remains, and dried vegetation in pastures and grasslands, as well as agricultural, forest-proximate, forested, and specially protected nature areas, incurs fines ranging from the minimum wage up to 300,000 drams,” the statement concludes.