7 hectares of forest to be replanted after major fire in Mykolaiv region

The state of the forest in spring 2026. Photo: NikVesti

Last summer, a large-scale forest fire broke out in the Mykolaiv region near the villages of Variushyne and Novyi Horodok in the Voznesensk district. The fire destroyed over 29 hectares of forest. This year, there are plans to restore part of the area — specifically, to plant new trees across 7 hectares.

This was reported by the «Southern Forest Office» branch of the state-owned enterprise «Forests of Ukraine» in response to an enquiry from NikVesti.

The forest area near the villages of Variushyne and Novyi Horodok covers 632 hectares. In July 2025, fires raged there. A total of five fires were recorded. The blaze was tackled by 106 firefighters and 20 vehicles from the State Emergency Service. A further 10 people and 5 vehicles from the forestry enterprise were also deployed. Local residents also helped. The fires destroyed 29.35 hectares of forest.

A large-scale fire near the village of Variushyne in the Mykolaiv region, 28 July 2025. Photo: NikVesti

The forest near the villages of Variushyne and Novyi Horodok before the fire. Screenshot from the Copernicus Earth observation system

The forest near the villages of Variushyne and Novyi Horodok after the fire. Screenshot from the Copernicus Earth observation system

«The damaged stands are, on average, middle-aged stands, predominantly coniferous. In most cases, such fires are caused by careless handling of fire; in isolated cases, they are the result of arson. Law enforcement agencies are conducting a pre-trial investigation into these forest fires with the aim of bringing those responsible to justice,» the forestry office reported.

The forestry office noted that they plan to plant new trees on 7 hectares of damaged forest, whilst in other areas they expect the forest to regenerate naturally. Work is scheduled to begin in 2026.

«In accordance with the measures planned by the enterprise, reforestation through the planting of forest crops is planned across an area of 7.0 hectares. In other areas, forest stands will regenerate naturally. Work on the damaged areas is tentatively scheduled to begin in 2026,» the letter states.

The state of the forest in spring 2026. Photo: NikVesti

The state of the forest in spring 2026. Photo: NikVesti

To prevent new fires, there are plans to renew the mineralised strips in March — these are special protective strips that prevent the spread of fire. They also promise to step up forest patrols and use CCTV systems.

Screenshot of the response from the ‘Southern Forest Office’ branch of the state-owned enterprise ‘Forests of Ukraine’

Screenshot of the response from the ‘Southern Forest Office’ branch of the state-owned enterprise ‘Forests of Ukraine’

It should be noted that since the start of 2026, there have been 3,225 fires in ecosystems across an area of almost 94,000 hectares in Ukraine.

Indeed, in the Aliaudy neighbourhood, several reed fires have already occurred this week. Environmentalists have assessed the damage caused by pollutants emitted into the air. It exceeded 4.4 million hryvnias.

It was also reported that in 2025, there were 656 fires in the residential sector in the Mykolaiv region.