The fire in Biebrza National Park, which broke out on Sunday 20/21 April, has become 1 of the biggest challenges for emergency services in Poland in fresh years. The fire, which spread in areas covered with dry reeds and grass, covered the surface almost 450 hectares. Strong firefighting activities, including support from military services, specialized units and firefighters from all over Poland, were aimed at mastering the fire in 1 of the most valued national parks in Poland.
Firefighting action in Biebrza National Park
Fire at the border of districts August and Moniecki required the engagement of immense resources. The scene has arrived approximately 90 vehicles and 180 firefighters, as well as specialised teams from the alleged central operational conduit and firefighters from the module GFFF Poland, specialized in extinguishing forest fires from the ground. The firefighting action besides included the usage of modern method measures specified as drones and aircraft.
The fire, which initially spread quickly, covered areas located in hard areas. Vehicles, among others, were active in firefighting activities SHERP and quadsthat made it possible to scope places where conventional fire trucks could not reach. The actions besides active aircraft State Forests, including aircraft Dromader and chopper from Bambi Bucket, which made the water drop.
Cooperation of services and on-site situation
The situation was monitored all night, with the support of drones. It besides helped military, which provided additional drones to let precise monitoring of advancement in the fight against fire. 346 officers various services, including firefighters, soldiers and specialists, were divided into 2 combat episodes. The fire was moving along 1,9-kilometre the front, however, as a consequence of increased fire-fighting activities, the situation began to improve. PSP Chief, superbrig. Wojciech Kruczek, stressed that the fire does not spread further and part of the area has already been mastered.
Prime Minister besides appeared Donald Tuskwho took part in the authoritative briefing and assessed the situation. During the meeting, the Prime Minister referred to the question of the anticipation of deliberate arson, suggesting that the government would take appropriate steps if specified assumptions were confirmed.
Could the fire in Biebrza National Park be the consequence of arson?
During Monday's briefing, Prime Minister Tusk referred questions about possible arsons. He stressed that at the minute there was no expertise to confirm that the fire was the consequence of deliberate action. However, he pointed out that if fire was the consequence of arson, the government would take appropriate action. Tusk stated that in the event that arson was the consequence of abroad services, the harshest penalties should be drawn. In turn, if a individual acting on behalf of abroad services was a national of Poland, this should be treated as act of treason.
Political reactions and consequences
Prime Minister Tusk's comments may have sparked a broad discussion on national safety and possible threats to abroad services in Poland. Situation in Biebrza National Park, especially in the context of the proximity of the border with Belarus, became a political subject and the Prime Minister made it clear that specified action, if confirmed, would have serious consequences.
Permanent threat to Biebrza National Park
The fire in the Biebrza National Park, which lasted for respective days, is simply a reminder of the sensitivity of ecosystems in Poland, especially those located in border areas. Biebrzański National Park, which is 1 of the most valuable protected areas in Poland, faces problems associated with utmost weather conditions that favour fires. However, the real question that comes after this disaster is whether this situation has been triggered by human action. If so, the consequences can be far more serious than only those associated with the removal of the effects of the fire.
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Fire in Biebrza National Park: Tusk accuses of possible treason
