Huge Areas Burned in Hungary Already This Year

Since the beginning of March, firefighters have been called out to 880 fires in open spaces in Hungary, an average of 44 a day. Some fires have reached 150 hectares and are now being fought by 50-60 firefighters. The size of the areas burnt in March is close to that of 1,620 football pitches, a spokesman for the BM National Directorate General for Disaster Management said.

The biggest fire so far this year was in the Fertőrákos area, NW Hungary, on March 15, when reeds caught fire at dawn on Lake Fertő and burned 150 hectares. Extinguishing the fire was hampered by strong winds, which caused the flying fly ash to ignite the reeds in new areas. The fire was finally brought under control by firefighters in more than twelve hours, according to newspaper reports.

99% of fires are caused by human carelessness: many people simply burn the turf and dry plants in the garden, although this is not always possible. It is strictly forbidden throughout the country to burn stubble, reeds or land covered with plants, and very heavy fire fines are imposed.

The amount of the fine can range from HUF 20,000 to HUF three million, depending on the danger and the damage caused.

Green waste from gardens may only be burnt where the local authority has expressly authorized it by decree.