During this period, it is prohibited to light fires in forests, except in specially installed places. It is also prohibited to drop matches and cigarette butts or, without coordination with the State Forest Service, to perform any burning work which causes a lot of smoke and may mislead fire observers.
The forest service representative Zigmunds Jaunķiķis said: “From May 1, the fire hazard period is set throughout the territory of Latvia. Our employees are prepared to carry out enhanced forest surveillance and to keep these fire protection rules in place. Spring is relatively humid and cool, but fires have already occurred anyway.”
A total of 74 forest fires with a burned area of 24 hectares have already been registered since the beginning of the year, the State Forest Service said.
