On April 29, the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute issued a warning against the danger of fires in the Central Bohemian Region, valid from April 30 at midnight to May 1 at midnight.
A mixed forest fire in the Benešovsk region. | Photo: HZS Central Bohemian Region
In connection with the provision, the Central Bohemian Region issued a regulation on the establishment of conditions to ensure fire protection during times of increased risk of fire. Accordingly, a number of things are therefore banned across the board.
Firefighters named among the prohibitions: the use of fireworks, the release of “lucky lanterns”, the use of water from a source for extinguishing fires for purposes other than extinguishing, the entry of motor vehicles onto field and forest roads, the stopping of motor vehicles in places where the lower part of the vehicle would could come into contact with easily flammable materials, e.g. dry grass, straw, stubble, undergrowth, leaves, spilled fuel, etc.
Even a simple witch burning has its own rules, those who don’t follow them will pay
In addition, the region has banned the making or maintaining of open fires such as burning brush and bark, burning flammable substances in the open, smoking or even driving a steam locomotive in forests and their surroundings up to a distance of at least 50 meters.
This also applies to stacks of hay and straw in continuous plant growth enabling further spread of fire, agricultural cultivated areas on which crops are grown that are in a state of possible ignition and their surroundings up to a distance of 100 m.
Firefighters responded to the barn fire. The stabled horses were brought out
“Violation of the obligations stipulated by this regulation can be punished as a misdemeanor according to special legal regulations,” pointed out Libor Pospíšil, head of the fire investigation department of the HZS.
According to Veronika Švorcová Mocová, spokeswoman for the central Bohemian fire department, anyone who disobeys the ban risks a fine or other penalties.
“If someone’s fire got out of control and caused damage to the insured property, the insurance company reduces the insurance payment in such cases,” she added.
