"We're not working on having a security guard standing by every tree," he said
This year, the area of forests covered by fire exceeded 8 million hectares, said Ivan Sovetnikov, head of the Federal Forestry Agency. This is an unsatisfactory figure, he admitted. 90% of fires occurred in the Far East regions, and the Zabaikalsky Krai was the worst prepared for the season. The year was very hot and difficult, because of the warm weather in part of the country summer lasted actually four months, but we managed to prevent the fire from spreading to critical facilities and loss of life. About why there are not enough foresters, how the preparation for the new fire season is going and why it is important to choose the right Christmas tree - in an exclusive interview with "Izvestia".
"In Transbaikalia there was a failure of the year".
- The active phase of the fire-dangerous season in the forests is over. What are its results?
- This year's forest fire season has been completed. The total area covered by fire across the country slightly exceeded 8.3 million hectares. On the one hand, the figures are large and we are not satisfied with them. On the other hand, we have not exceeded the average annual values. But it seems to me that a much more important achievement is that we have prevented the death of citizens and the fire from spreading to critical infrastructure, i.e. we have saved cities, towns, gas pipelines and power lines.
- What were the peculiarities of this season?
- The season was very hot and very difficult. Abnormally high temperatures in Yakutia were recorded as early as the end of May, when the air warmed up to 30 degrees Celsius in those areas where the fire season should have come closer to the middle of July. And the residents of Central Russia this year actually got four months of summer, from June to September.
Republic of Sakha (Yakutia)
That is, September turned out to be practically a summer month. It was hot and dry. For example, in the Arkhangelsk region, the majority of fires occurred in September. This is a month that is traditionally considered not the most fire-prone in Russia. And we saw an increase in temperatures, an increase in the timing of the forest fire season and a decrease in precipitation. All these factors have a negative impact on fire safety.
- Which regions were in the lead in terms of flammability?
- Almost 90% of fires occurred in five regions of the Far East. These are primarily Yakutia and the Transbaikal Territory. However, while Yakutia as a whole kept within the predicted indicators, Zabaikalye had a failure of the year. The fire area there exceeded 2 million hectares, while on average it was 40-50 thousand hectares. We see a failure of managerial nature at the level of an entire region.
- Was the problem in insufficient preparation of the Trans-Baikal Territory for the season? Or was there no proper response to the situation?
- This region, like in a textbook, has collected all possible mistakes. The first one is poor preparation. Formally, people were recruited, but they were recruited at the start of the season. And then people were quickly fired, and at the peak of the season in some areas there were less than 50% of the required number of people. We started traditionally with lies, hid fires, reacted late, increased the grouping late, requested federal forces and funds late. Did not control finances within the region. The entire pool of errors that could be gathered around them, the region gathered.
Zabaikalye Emergencies Ministry employees at the scene of the fire
- What measures will be taken? Should we expect any personnel decisions?
- The Minister of Natural Resources of the region has already been dismissed. There is another Minister of Natural Resources in the Trans-Baikal Territory. In addition, we checked all the blocks in the region: we looked at how employees are recruited, who these people are, how financial calculations are made. And, unfortunately, we see problems in all areas. We need better preparation of forests for fires, better equipment, better selection of people. We need to build financial discipline. We need to control financial flows within the region more strictly.
- What other regions were outsiders?
- At the end of the year we do a big statistic on all regions. And, I think, we approach it fairly honestly. For example, there were large and complicated fires in Crimea. We realize that there are difficulties of a natural nature there, arid territories, flammable tree species. And we see that, on the whole, the region did a good job. But there is an anti-example - Samara, where everything is exactly the opposite. The conditions there are relatively calm, with good transportation accessibility. At the same time, there was a major fire, which was "heroically" extinguished for two weeks. Failure on the spot. Specific managerial mistakes were also made. We hope that the region will draw conclusions from this situation.
"Work in the forestry sector does not pay so well"
- Have preparations for the next fire season already begun?
- As soon as the fires of one year are over, we immediately start preparing for the next season. The very first block is financial. We draw up the budget. Thanks to the order of the President of the country and the Russian government, there is an increase in funding for forest fire suppression. Three regions will be allocated additional money: 5.3 billion rubles will be allocated to establish air offices in the territories of former control zones in Yakutia, the Transbaikal and Krasnoyarsk Territories.
Extinguishing a natural fire with the help of an EMERCOM airplane
According to the plan of financing forest protection from fire in 2025, we will approach the mark of 20 billion rubles. This is how much we will have for preparation for the season and firefighting across the country. All regions will have an increase in state funding for this block, albeit a small one.
On the other hand, forest paratroopers should rest and gain strength in winter. And officials should prepare documents: a summary plan, an operational plan to prevent forest fires, a plan of firefighting equipment, summarize the results of the state task. It is also necessary to recruit people and repair equipment. This is what we are doing now. At the end of December, we held meetings in the Far East, looking at how these regions are preparing for the forest fire season.
- Now in many spheres they talk about staffing shortages. What is the situation with personnel in forestry?
- There are not enough people, this is a common problem. And there are two additional factors that do not speak in our favor. The job of a forester is probably not the most comfortable. Everyone wants to sit in a warm office with tea. And a forester, of course, spends most of his time in the forest, no matter whether it is raining, snowing or hot outside. He works even in difficult weather conditions. On the other hand, work in forestry is often not so well paid when compared to other areas.
To solve the first problem, we are trying to introduce modern tools, unmanned systems, digitalization, so that the work of a forester takes place in more comfortable conditions. And also until next year, by the decision of Russian President Vladimir Putin, an additional 3 billion rubles will be allocated to increase the salaries of forestry workers. I emphasize that they will be used to increase the salaries of forestry workers.
Fire drone
- What important legislative changes took place in the forestry industry at the end of the year?
- The State Duma passed a bill creating legal grounds for the implementation of forestry projects. We want those people who are going to do climate projects in the forest to be clearly protected by law, there is a clear order of how it should happen. And, in our opinion, the forest is a very good source for green units and for the realization of such projects.
On the other hand, the issue of forest seed production has been regulated at the legislative level. That is, at the level of law we clearly describe how to collect seeds, how to use them and what to do with them. This is a very necessary law.
"We can see violators from space."
- You have already mentioned the digitalization of the forestry industry. How is it progressing?
- We are preparing to make the final leap in this direction. On January 1, 2025, we will transition to a single federal digital GLR, the State Forest Registry. We are also introducing the Federal State Infrastructure System for Forestry (FGIS FC). This is a big transition, a kind of crown of our four-year work. We will have a clearer understanding of what is happening in the forest, we will be able to see all the logging trucks, all the harvesting areas. I think this is a really big step in our industry.
- What modern technologies are used to extinguish and monitor forest fires?
- Probably the hottest technology is drones. We see their use developing in many different areas, and, of course, forestry is no exception. We're already using drone systems to detect forest fires and offenses. Absolutely, there is still room for development in this regard.
- How many illegal tree felling operations have been recorded this year?
- In the last few years, the volume of illegal felling has been falling. This is probably due to a comprehensive plan to combat illegal logging, on which we are working closely with our colleagues from law enforcement agencies.
On the other hand, in addition to such traditional tools as patrolling, we use modern methods. This is, for example, satellite imagery. We can see from space those areas of the forest where timber is illegally harvested. Digitalization of the forest complex makes its contribution, thanks to which it is extremely difficult to realize illegal timber. And we are working not to have a guard standing near every tree, as it is impossible, but to prevent illegal timber from entering the market.
Illegal logging is less than half a million cubic meters, while legal logging is about 180 million cubic meters. It turns out that illegal logging accounts for less than 0.25%.
"Before the New Year we intensified patrolling of forests."
- Is it possible to cut down a Christmas tree in the forest for the New Year?
- You can do anything, but for illegal felling of Christmas trees you will inevitably be prosecuted.
We traditionally recommend to go for a festive tree at the Christmas tree market. There are a variety of options there, both in size and species composition.
On the other hand, some regions, such as the Moscow region, have introduced a very good practice, when you can come to the nursery yourself or with your family, sign a sales contract, choose a Christmas tree and harvest it. You will walk through the forest and buy a Christmas tree.
This year, tenants of forest areas across the country have harvested more than 200 thousand trees. Most of them were harvested in the Volga, Siberian and North-Western Federal Districts.
- What sanctions are provided for violators for illegally cut down Christmas trees?
- If you have harvested a single tree, it is usually administrative responsibility. The fine is up to 5 thousand rubles with confiscation of the fir tree. For a large volume of illegal felling provides for liability up to criminal responsibility. That is, they can go to jail. So once again I remind you that you should not illegally harvest Christmas trees.
An inspector of state environmental control during a raid on illegal felling of Christmas trees in Moscow
Traditionally, before the New Year holidays, forest protection officers increase patrolling of forest areas. Every day specialists visit forest areas where there have already been cases of illegal felling of trees. In addition, we intensify the protection of young trees and mature coniferous trees.
- What kind of tree is better to choose, so that it would stand for a long time and please all the holidays?
- Here everyone chooses to his own taste. Of course, we believe that natural Christmas trees are more environmentally friendly than plastic ones.
Someone prefers spruce - it is the most popular Christmas tree in Russia. It has the most pleasant pine odor. Someone prefers fir or other species. It depends on what kind of interior in the apartment and expectations from the price of the New Year tree.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
