Number of fires in Ukraine up by nearly 50% in 2024

Andriy Danyk, head of Ukraine's State Emergency Service (SES), stated this in an interview with Ukrinform.

"Over the past year, we have seen a significant increase in the number of fires [both in ecosystems and private households] -- by approximately 50%. If we distribute this number across the country, it appears relatively proportional, except for areas near the front line. There, the number of fires has increased by many times due to enemy actions," he said.

Photo: State Emergency Service

Danyk explained that even a single downed drone could start a fire. The most frequent fires in mined areas were recorded in the Kharkiv and Donetsk regions, as well as in the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone in the Kyiv region.

"To respond effectively, we have developed specific protocols. Now, when firefighters are dispatched to potentially mined areas, demining teams accompany them and work together on-site," he said.

He also stressed that last year, the rescue service suffered personnel and equipment losses while extinguishing forest fires in mined areas. As a result, the State Emergency Service has drawn conclusions, reinforced its units with modern equipment, and improved its operational methods.

Since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion, Ukraine's State Emergency Service has received over 3,000 units of equipment.

Photo: State Emergency Service