Fire preventive rules in the forests
LEPL National Forest Agency, in connection with the activation of the tourist season, calls on residents to protect safety rules in the woods and comply with the prohibitions in the picnic area and bonfire. The Agency has allocated information-warning signs throughout Georgia, especially in fiery areas and areas that are especially busy in the tourist season.
It is forbidden to light a fire in the state forest area under tree crown, coniferous wood, in the old fire sites, damaged areas of forest (high wind areas), areas with manufacturing waste from the uncleaned forests, in places where remains of timber are left, in peaty and dried grass places.
In other parts of the forest fund, it is permissible to light the fire the in case of arranging fire place. Pre-arrangement of fire place means cleaning the place 1,5-meter radius from burning materials (hay, dried grass, leaves, and twigs).
Because of the high temperatures of summer, it is a fiery period of time. At the same time, according to statistics, the main cause of fires in the forest is the negligence of people, which may cause deplorable consequences.
According to the Code of Administrative Offenses of Georgia, violation of Fire Safety Requirements in Forests that will result in fire in the forest or spreading the fire on certain area, as well as forest damage or damage due to ill-treatment by fire, will be fined from hundred to two hundred GEL.
Together with administrative fine, criminal responsibility is also drawn up, in particular, as per the Criminal Code of Georgia, damaging the forest or plant by careless treatment of fire or the source of increased danger, or contamination with harmful substances is punishable by a fine, or corrective labor for up to two years, or imprisonment for the above term.
Damage or destruction of forest or plant damage by arson, explosion or other dangerous means shall be punishable by imprisonment from four to eight years.