"The entire region was on fire. September was the most extensive month. The frontline communities suffered more from shelling, but all communities, without exception, experienced fires, and forests in all areas of Kharkiv region also burned. There is no area that is free from this problem," said Dmitry Chaika, press officer of the State Emergency Service in Kharkiv region.

From the beginning of August to mid-October, rescuers extinguished 3,431 fires in natural ecosystems, including 256 forest fires. The flames destroyed 5,500 hectares of vegetation.

Fires in Kharkiv Region

According to Artem Astakhov, head of the State Emergency Service in the region, the number of fires in natural ecosystems has increased fivefold compared to last year. All internal reserves of the State Emergency Service units in Kharkiv region and rescuers from neighboring areas were involved in firefighting efforts.

In August-September 2024, a series of large-scale fires were recorded in Kharkiv region. The blazes affected the Kharkiv, Bohodukhiv, Chuhuiv, Kupiansk, and Izium districts.

1

One of the largest forest fires broke out in early September in the Oskil community of Izium district, covering approximately 1,200 hectares. The fire spread to the village of Studenok. It ignited due to shelling from the Russian Federation and quickly spread with the wind. Rescuers from several regions were called in to help extinguish the blaze. The fire was localized on September 5, with a total of 705 people evacuated. About 1,500 hectares of forest were affected.

On September 16, a fire erupted in the Bezlyudivka area on the outskirts of Kharkiv. According to Oleg Synegubov, head of Kharkiv Oblast State Administration, firefighting efforts were complicated by the presence of a World War I munitions storage facility in the area. Therefore, the State Emergency Service posts were placed near populated areas threatened by the fire.

2

On October 2, Russian military forces shelled the territory of the forestry near the village of Pisky-Radkovski, causing a fire that spanned 15 hectares. This fire claimed the lives of four people, while two others suffered burns. Hundreds of wooden houses at a recreation base were destroyed. The fire was extinguished on October 7, involving a hundred rescuers and forestry workers.

At the beginning of October, a fire also broke out in the filtration fields of the Dikany wastewater treatment facilities in the Osnovyansky district of Kharkiv. The area affected by the fire was 39 hectares. Astakhov explained the prolonged firefighting efforts due to the landscape: "It is practically impossible to stand there because of the uneven surface with numerous craters. Additionally, technological settling ponds are located in these areas."

3

Fire at the wastewater treatment facilities in Kharkiv / Photo: Kharkiv City Hall

According to Chaika, the fire at the wastewater treatment facilities was localized on October 2. This fire was extinguished only on October 16.

Causes of Fires

Among the main reasons for the increase in the number of fires are abnormally high temperatures, strong gusts of wind, and shelling from the Russian army. In addition, Alexander Gololobov, head of the Malodanylivka community, stated: "Arson is starting to resemble sabotage." However, the National Police noted that law enforcement agencies did not open any criminal proceedings regarding arson classified as sabotage.

Combat operations and landmines significantly complicate firefighting efforts. Of the more than 180,000 hectares of forests where combat operations continued, only 2% have been cleared of mines.

"The entire de-occupied territory has practically not been processed for three years. Dry trees have grown to the height of a person. Many people have left, causing private plots and gardens to overgrow. Due to the smaller population, fires are reported later, when they have already reached significant sizes. Firefighting in these areas differs significantly from pre-war practices, as it is not always possible to access fields or forests. We often involve pyrotechnic units in most fires," notes Astakhov.

4

Four out of seven forestry enterprises in Kharkiv region are part of the state enterprise "Forests of Ukraine" – these are the Hutyansky, Zmiivsky, Zhovtneviy, and Chuhuiv-Bobchansky forestry with a total area of 151.9 thousand hectares. According to their data, as a result of Russian aggression, 682 hectares of forest plantations were destroyed. Since August 2024, firefighting and rescue units of the state enterprise have extinguished 87 forest fires covering an area of 649 hectares.

"The situation is different. It is complicated by the fact that these are all forest areas, most of which are de-occupied territory. This is land that was under occupation or where active combat operations took place, and this area is considered mined. Additionally, there are cases of crown fires spreading through the treetops. These fires are quite difficult to extinguish because they spread quickly in the direction of the wind, which is hard to predict," said Oleg Synegubov, head of Kharkiv Oblast State Administration, during a briefing.

During firefighting in mined territories, five rescuers from Kharkiv region were injured. Three of them were wounded while extinguishing a fire in Donetsk region. In the village of Krymky in Kramatorsk district, a fire truck of the State Emergency Service exploded on an explosive object. Two more were injured by the explosion of a tank near Balakliya.

5

Furthermore, there have been recorded instances of deliberate shelling of rescuers by Russian troops. On September 16, a fire broke out in a forest area in the Kyiv district of Kharkiv, covering an area of 4 hectares: the pine litter was ablaze. The next day, on Rescuer's Day, Russia launched airstrikes with KAB bombs on the fire extinguishing site, resulting in injuries to four rescuers.

Additionally, seven civilians have died and 19 have been injured due to large-scale fires in Kharkiv region.

Responsibility for Arson

It is worth noting that burning plant residues and leaves is prohibited. Administrative liability for burning stubble, meadows, pastures, and fallen leaves ranges from 3,060 to 6,120 UAH.

If you see a fire in an ecosystem:

1. Call the emergency service at 101. Provide the exact location of the fire and your contact information.

2. If it is safe to do so, try to extinguish a small fire using available means (water, sand, tree branches).

3. Do not approach a large fire – it is unsafe. Warn people nearby about the danger and the need to leave the area. Leave the territory as quickly as possible.

5. If there are animals, try to help them escape from the danger zone, but do not risk your life.

6. Wait for the rescuers to arrive and provide them with all known information about the fire.

7. Do not interfere with the work of firefighters and other rescue services.