Riga, March 12 (LETA) - This year, 21 old grass fires have been registered, Viktorija Gribuste, a spokesperson of the State Fire and Rescue Service (VUGD), told LETA.

The first old grass fire this year was recorded on March 6, when 400 m² of last year's grass was burnt in the Roja county of Talsi municipality. On Wednesday, nine fires were recorded.

Last year, 956 old grass fires were extinguished, more than twice the number of last year. In 2024, 440 fires were recorded.

Last year, 689 hectares of land were burnt, one person was injured and 17 buildings or structures were burnt as a result of grass burning. A further 30 buildings or structures burnt down in fires.

The highest number of fires was recorded in Latgale, where 277 old grass fires were registered in 415 hectares of land.

General Martins Baltmanis, Chief of VUGD, pointed out that the events of last year and this year confirm that the number of old grass fires is mostly influenced by weather conditions and not by changes in human behavior.

The State Fire and Rescue Service reiterated that the outdated practice of burning old grass has been made an administrative offense in Latvia because it represents a threat to wildlife, crops, property and human lives.