The National Forestry Agency of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia has called on citizens to exercise extreme caution when visiting state forests and to strictly adhere to fire safety regulations amid rising temperatures.
The agency noted that the risk of wildfires increases significantly during the summer, with human negligence being the main cause of blazes in most cases.
“During periods of increased tourist flow, regional forestry staff actively patrol state forests and inform visitors about safety rules to minimize the risk of wildfires. According to statistics, human negligence remains the primary cause of forest fires. We are conducting awareness campaigns and urging people to follow recommendations for setting up picnic areas and lighting campfires,” said Data Kobakhidze, Head of the Department of Forest Care and Restoration.
To prevent forest fires, warning signs have been installed across the country in high-risk areas and popular tourist destinations. By scanning QR codes on the signs, visitors can access safety guidelines for behavior in forests, as well as rules for organizing picnic spots and building campfires.
The agency also reminded the public that under the Code of Administrative Offences of Georgia, violating fire safety rules in forests resulting in the outbreak or spread of a fire carries a fine ranging from 300 to 500 lari. If a forest fire is caused by negligence, the offender may face imprisonment for a term of four to eight years.