‘UB lands are dry, posing wild fire risks’

Head of Disaster Prevention Department of the Ulaanbaatar Emergency Management Agency G.Nergui clarified the level of dryness in the green zone of the city and what measures are being taken to prevent potential forest and steppe fires.

How dry is the city right now?

This year, Ulaanbaatar is very dry. Since the beginning of the year, 609 object fire calls, 26 yellow grass fire calls and one forest fire call have been registered in the city. Extreme droughts are a prerequisite for potential fire hazards. According to the Forest Law, the periods from March 20 to June 20 and from September 20 to November 20 are considered fire danger seasons.

To prevent forest fires in the green zone of the city during the dry spring and autumn seasons, we are conducting mobile patrols and operating a forest fire headquarters at the Ulaanbaatar Emergency Management Agency. A total of 25 officers from the Ulaanbaatar Emergency Management Agency, the police, and the specialized inspection agency patrol the green zone every day.

What causes fire in areas with yellow grass?

The number of fires caused by open fires, burning various types of garbage, and dumping ashes in the open is not decreasing. In previous years, there have been many such fire calls, and we have been issuing warnings. This year, the

Ulaanbaatar Emergency Management Agency is organizing a special campaign for it and it will run from March 28 to May 28.

What percentage of fires are caused by human activity?

In general, 99 percent of forest, steppe and household fires are caused by human activities. For instance, the police determined that the main cause of forest fires registered in the city since the beginning of the year was related to civilians discarding their cigarette butts without extinguishing them fully. Our rescuers and firefighters have been responding quickly to extinguish all fires.

It is worth mentioning that many fires were caused by incompletely extinguished matches and cigarette butts. These not only harm the environment but also caused huge economic damage to individuals and the country.

How are citizens held accountable for intentionally or unintentionally causing a fire?

There are cases when young children are punished for playing with matches and setting fires. Arson is a criminal offense that can injure or kill people. There is also the principle that if you spend one tugrug on prevention, you can save seven tugrug from response to a disaster. The people of Ulaanbaatar are lucky to live in a green zone surrounded by four mountains. So let’s not forget how much damage a fire can cause and how much effort it takes to put it out.