• Local authorities are explicitly required to prevent the burning of stubble and dry grass

By order of the Minister of Environment and Water Julian Popov, the period from April 1 to October 31, 2026, has been designated as a fire-dangerous season in protected areas, exclusive state property - national parks, reserves, and maintained reserves.

The order obliges the regional inspectorates for environment and water (RIEWs) and the directorates of the national parks (DNP) to take the necessary measures for the strict implementation of fire prevention plans in protected areas in their respective regions. An obligation is also specified to prepare notification schemes at all levels in the event of fires in protected areas.

Schedules for specialized monitoring in fire-prone areas are being prepared and preventive control over the activities of owners and users of sites, forests, lands and water areas for fire protection in the relevant protected areas is being strengthened.

As an important element of prevention, instructions are sent out to municipal mayors to inform the population about the danger of fires, as well as about the sanctions that will be imposed on violators. By order of the regional structures of the Ministry of Environment and Water, the mayors of municipalities must organize voluntary formations to extinguish fires in protected areas.

Local authorities are explicitly required to strengthen control in order to prevent arson of stubble, brushwood, roadsides, and dry grass. Burning stubble and other plant residues is absolutely prohibited. It burns all organic components in the surface layer of the soil. Micro- and macroorganisms useful for soil fertility are destroyed, and this disrupts the soil-forming process. Conditions are created for the burning of forest protection belts, trees and shrubs, and sometimes entire forest areas. Many birds and animals die in the fires.

The regional structures of the Ministry of Environment and Water will carry out follow-on control over the implementation of the given prescriptions. In case of violations, the responsible parties will be held accountable, including by imposing administrative and penal measures.

The Ministry of Environment and Water appeals to all citizens and farmers to maintain constant vigilance and to strictly observe the prevention measures in order to prevent fires from occurring in protected areas, as they are one of the disasters most dangerous and difficult to control.