The state enterprise «Forests of Ukraine» has demonstrated how children are taught to prevent forest fires in Mykolaiv

Children in Matviivka were shown how forest firefighters work and put out fires. Photo: NikVesti

At the «Lisovychok» recreation area in Matviivka, staff from the state-owned enterprise «Forests of Ukraine» held an educational event for children on fire safety rules and how to stay safe in the forest.

This was reported by NikVesti.

The event was organised for children from the Left Bank of the Kherson region — the communities of Lazurne, Bekhtery, Velyki Kopani and Chulakivka. Inspectors explained to the children and demonstrated how the forest fire response system works. They were also shown and allowed to try on special firefighting gear — helmets, protective footwear and equipment used during firefighting operations. They also learnt about the operation of a mobile modular fire-fighting station and had a go at extinguishing a simulated fire themselves using portable water packs, which are used to contain small fires.

Children in Matviivka were shown how forest firefighters work and put out fires. Photo: NikVesti

Children in Matviivka were shown how forest firefighters work and put out fires. Photo: NikVesti

Children in Matviivka were shown how forest firefighters work and put out fires. Photo: NikVesti

In the final part of the event, a game was organised for the children in which, having defeated the opposing teams on their own, they put out each other’s fires.

As the company’s inspectors explained, it was the summer season that prompted the organisation of such sessions.

«The children are on holiday at the moment; they spend a lot of time either by the water or in the forest. The main aim of such events is to explain fire safety rules and how to behave in the forest. Furthermore, the current security situation does not allow people to move freely through woodland areas, so it is important that children are able to assess risks and do not put themselves in danger,» the experts noted.

Children in Matviivka were shown how forest firefighters work and put out fires. Photo: NikVesti

Children in Matviivka were shown how forest firefighters work and put out fires. Photo: NikVesti

Children in Matviivka were shown how forest firefighters work and put out fires. Photo: NikVesti

The State Enterprise «Forests of Ukraine» says that the creation of recreational areas is gradually influencing the public’s leisure culture. Whereas previously, fires were constantly being reported in the Matviivka Forest during the fire-hazard season, last year there was only one fire, which affected a small area.

At the same time, the human factor remains the main cause of forest fires.

«Around 90 per cent of fires are caused by people. But when there are designated recreational areas, people are more likely to choose them and avoid venturing deep into the forest. We also carry out ongoing awareness-raising campaigns, patrols and issue warnings about administrative and criminal liability,» explained the inspectors.

Company staff said that checks to ensure compliance with the rules in the forests take place daily. Staff from the State Emergency Service, the environmental inspectorate and the police are involved in the patrols.

Children in Matviivka were shown how forest firefighters work and extinguish fires. Photo: NikVesti

Particular attention is paid to fire prevention measures, in particular the creation and maintenance of mineralised strips. These are specially cleared or ploughed areas of soil devoid of vegetation, which prevent the fire from spreading from one part of the forest to another and help to contain the blaze.

As a reminder, the «Southern Forest Office» branch of the state-owned enterprise «Forests of Ukraine» was unable to hold three tenders for the development of recreational areas in the Mykolaiv region. No bids were submitted for the tenders, which had a total value of over 6.3 million hryvnias.