The wildfire continues to ravage forests and peat bogs in Biebrza National Park in eastern Poland, with firefighters yet to bring it under control.

Despite extensive efforts, the blaze remains unchecked, threatening the park's delicate ecosystem, Caliber.Az reports via Polish media.

A rapidly spreading wildfire in eastern Poland has engulfed at least 450 hectares of Biebrza National Park, prompting a full-scale emergency response.

The fire, which broke out on the afternoon of April 20, has mobilized over 240 firefighters, 100 soldiers, and several aerial units to battle the blaze, according to Polish authorities.

“The fight against the fire is currently focused – due to the inaccessible terrain – on aerial operations,” said Tomasz Siemoniak, Poland’s Interior Minister, in a post on social media platform X.

Initially, the fire was estimated to cover only 10 hectares, with a fire front approximately 300 meters in length. However, fueled by dry conditions and strong winds, the flames quickly spread across hundreds of hectares overnight. As of April 21, the fire’s extent has reached 450 hectares, forcing authorities to take immediate action to protect the region.

The firefighting efforts involve teams from the State Fire Service, the Territorial Defence Forces, and national forestry and park services. Aerial support includes firefighting planes and helicopters, which are equipped with “bambi buckets” capable of dropping thousands of liters of water per run. A police Black Hawk helicopter is also assisting in the operation, while drone surveillance has been conducted throughout the night.

To ensure public safety, authorities have closed all tourist trails and educational paths in the affected areas of Biebrza National Park.

Despite extensive efforts, the situation remains dire. Deputy Chief of the State Fire Service, Senior Brigadier Paweł Frysztak, stated: “At this moment, as the person in charge of the operation, I cannot yet say the fire is contained.”

Biebrza National Park, established in 1993, spans over 60,000 hectares, making it the largest national park in Poland. The park is renowned for its vast peat bogs and wetland ecosystems, which are among the most well-preserved in Europe. Home to more than 280 species of birds, the park plays a crucial role in the region’s biodiversity and ecosystem.

The fire continues to pose a significant threat to the park’s unique wildlife and fragile environment, with authorities intensifying efforts to contain it as soon as possible.

The last massive fire in Biebrza National Park broke out in 2020, when 5,500 hectares were consumed by flames. The blaze remained uncontrollable for seven days.

By Vafa Guliyeva

Source: caliber.az