3. DISTRICT BIELSKO-BIALA

4. D1. „Wildfires’ response: SHORT TERRITORIAL STATUS REPORT”`

5. Introduction Forests are the main producers of oxygen. By joining the carbon dioxide, they clean the air and absorb the dusts emitted by industry. In the area of water economy, the forests have a regulating function, what means that they protect environment against natural disasters. The forests ensure survival of innumerable species of plants and animals.survival

7. Every year, thousands of hectares of forests are destroyed by the wildfires. Fires often are caused by natural phenomena, but in majority of cases, they are caused by humans. Damages, which result from the wildfires of wood complexes, are very difficult to overestimate.overestimate.

10. Brief description of the area Bielsko- Biala district is situated in the southern part of Silesian voivodeship, in the south of Poland, at the foot of the Beskiden Mountains which reach the height of 1300 m a. s. l. and which are the part of Carpathian massif. The district is divided into 10 communes10 communes

11. The area of district is dominated by mountain forest habitats (around 70%), The most popular species of trees and they embrace around 33 % and 32 % of the forested surface. There is 10 % of pinewood tree stands and 9% of birchen ones

12. An area of our district amounts 460 km2, where approx. 152 000 inhibitants live. Is situated on the border area within to entry points: 30 km of the Czech Republic and 40 km of Slovakia.

13. The forests of district embrace the area of 12800 ha- 28% of the surface. There are also 4 nature reserves of 83 ha and 2 landscape parks of 6089 ha.

14. afforestation 28 %

15. Categories of forest fire risk in Poland: category of the I risk- big fire risk; category of the II risk- middle fire risk; category of the III risk- small fire risk. For the forests of the I and II category of fire risk, there are different degrees of wildfire risk which describes current fire risk: lack of fire risk- 0 degree small fire risk- I degree big fire risk- II degree disastrous fire risk- III degree The degree of fire risk is established on the base of the moistness of bedding (forest floor), relative air moistness and atmospheric fall.

16. The forests in the area of Bielsko- Biala district belong to the II category of fire risk- middle fire risk. The district is situated mainly in the area of mountain climate. Considering surface encompassed by burning, forest fires are divided into: Extinguished in germ(to 0,05 ha) Small- sized(0.06 – 1 ha) Medium- sized(1,01 – 10 ha) Big- sized(10 – 100 ha) Very big- sized(over 100 ha)

17. Wind, temperature, air moistness and sun are the weather factors, and sun are the weather factors, which have the biggest influence on the fires’ development. Also fluctuations of air pressure are meaningful for transformation of small or medium fires into the bigger ones. These changes influence the speed of the wind and intensify development of fire.

18. Organization of prediction, prevention and fire fighting activities against wildfires Below, the most important factors which cause wildfires in the area of district: proximity of forests, private forests and agriculture lands - it causes the fires of grass species composition of tree stands - the district is dominated by coniferous forests communication tracks in the forest areas - rail, road and mountain tracks

19. Our district is very attractive for tourists, what can be particularly dangerous during dry periods.

20. Because of global warming, and often weather disturbances such as long- lasting droughts, year by year, the possibility of fire increases. Therefore, it is very important to manage the forest areas in a sensible way, because it influences start and development of the fires in the region of district. Monitoring is necessary to estimate fire risk.

21. In periods of fire intensity, the monitoring of fire risks is conducted by special forest services, which study the bedding and observe forest areas. What is more, in this period, forest district offices designate observation points on the slopes, from which big forest areas can be observed Airport of Aero club in Bielsko- Biala is designated for air service of our district. Bielsko- Biala Park of Air Technique in Kaniow (in the area of our district) also meets technical requirements of landing field. In the forest areas of the district, there is a lack of observation towers required for fires’ monitoring.

22. Forest fire security is one of the main tasks of rescue services and rescue organizations. We are realized by: –National Forests’ Administration –National Fire Brigade –Polish Mountain Aid Organization –Local Fire Brigades –The Police The PoliceThe Police

24. Warning people about dangers in the forest areas is realized by: Sound alarms Warning in radio, television, local press Informatiom transmitted in speakers- specially in workplaces and public areas Information transmitted by amplification equipment of fire brigades’ cars Messages in the Internet

25. . In the area of our district, there are 2 radio systems, which warn about potential dangers. The system is connected with 41 alarms located in fire brigade units and some factories, which are considered to be a high fire risk. Additional 21 alarms are installed outside the monitoring system.

26. Chart of coordination and crisis management in Poland

27. In Poland, there is a Country Rescue and Fire fighting System, which leads rescue actions in the forest areas.. The Country and Rescue Fire fighting System is formed and coordinated by: Borough leader (mayor or president)- who realizes all tasks in the area of commune President of the district- who controls all tasks in the area of district Voivode- who realizes and controls a tasks in the are of voivodeship, and in emergency situations connected with life, health, property or environment danger, he/she manages the system he/she manages the system

28. The system is organized in a way that ensures its constant functioning on the following levels: District level- connected with rescue actions in the area of district and communes Voivodeship level- connected with coordination of rescue actions in the area of voivodeship Central level- connected with support and coordination of rescue actions in the whole country In case of big and vast fires, the forces of voivodeship support services that function in the area of district. In special cases, they will be assisted by national services.

29. The system National Fire Brigade It is a basic rescue organization which functions constantly, and which is equipped with special equipment assigned for fight with fires, natural disasters and other dangers. This organization is financed by country. Rescue and Fire Fighting Units are controlled and monitored by National Fire Brigade Headquarter in Bielsko- Biala. Rescue and Fire Fighting Units are controlled and monitored by National Fire Brigade Headquarter in Bielsko- Biala.

30. The main tasks of National Fire Brigade: recognition of fire risk and other dangers organization of rescue actions during the fires, natural disasters and other dangers organization of supporting rescue actions during natural disasters and helping other rescue services organization of trainings for fire brigades control and monitoring of fire fighting regulations National Fire Brigade organizes the Country Rescue and Fire Fighting System, which aims at life, health, property and environment protection, by: fighting with fires or other disasters technical rescue chemical rescue ecological rescue medical rescue

32. The system National Fire Brigade

33. The system National Fire Brigade The Police The police are national formation which protect and secure inhabitants, safety and public order. The police functions constantly and it is financed by the country. In the area of Bielsko- Biala district, there are 4 police stations and additional 4 in the city Bielsko-Biala. Police Headquarter in Bielsko- Biala controls Police Headquarter in Bielsko- Biala controls all police stations. all police stations.

34. The Police In terms of rescue actions in forest areas, the police: control public order protect endangered property protect roads and tracks protect security for services, who take part in rescue actions

36. The system National Fire Brigade The Police Emergency Emergency is the constant service organization, which provides medical help during sudden illnesses and accidents. Bielsko- Biala Emergency operates in the area of our district. What is more, there are also 5 intervention units of emergency and 2 separated units, also located in Bielsko- Biala. Also includes special rescue teams, that departure to patients during the accidents.

38. The system National Fire Brigade The Police Emergency Military unit In the area of district, there is a one Military Unit, which after decision of internal authorities, can be used during the action. Soldiers, who establish the unit, by use of special military and transport equipment, can help and support during the danger.

40. The system National Fire Brigade The Police Emergency Military unit Voluntary Fire Brigades Voluntary Fire Brigades are voluntary units, which function in particular area or in workplaces.

42. ` Voluntary Fire Brigades The main tasks of Voluntary Fire Brigades: fire prevention in cooperation with National Fire Brigade participation in rescue actions during the fires, ecological disasters and other dangerous situations informing the people about possible dangers and protection against them realization of tasks resulting from fire fighting regulations In the area of district, there are 41 territorial units of Voluntary Fire Brigades. 10 of them are situated in Bielsko- Biala

43. The system Polish Mountain Aid Organization In the area of the district, in mountain town- Szczyrk, Polish Mountain Aid Organization deals with the following tasks: - helping tourists when their health or life is in danger - protection against accidents in the mountains - protection of chairlifts and other mountain equipment -cooperation in the field of rescuing in the mountain areas -Mountain Aid Organization acts as association

45. The main problems of the commander during the fire: to ensure good transport for the cars that take part in the action to ensure good tactic to ensure good contact

46. Several requirements concerning the transport in the forest areas: good traction radiotelephones good technological condition of the roads

49. It is important to: inform all commanders about the situation supply the water assure good and drivable roads in both directions provide one extinguishing point in offensive area of 5-10 m, and in defensive area of 15- 20 m.

50. There are following tactic solutions: offensive on the whole fire offensive on the part of fire isolating zone in front of the area of fire barrage zone which caused by control burning leading actions in the designated areas

51. Situation changes very quickly and it is often required to relocate the equipment and transfer people. In the mountain areas, because of lack of roads, fire- fighters use another method, which is based on supplying and transferring the water.

52. In order to localize the fire, it is popular to use planes. The planes throw the water down directly in front of the fire, to coordinate all fire- fighting actions and water throws by air transport, at least by three M-18 Dromedary planes. attention on hostels and buildings, and especially on people and tourists who live there.

53. Area specifications- Wildfires’ potential risk The following Forest District Offices administer the forests of Bielsko- Biala district: Bielsko- Biala manages 90 % forests of our district, whereas Andrychow and Ustron administer 10 %.

54. afforestation Forest District Office

55. Each Forest District Office have special plans concerning acting during the fire. These plans are accustomed to local conditions and they are compiled in terms of territorial analysis and data base of fire brigades and forest managers. Each plan consists of the chapters devoted to fire- fighting protection and actions which limit dissemination of fires. –actions for particular teams, - concentration regions, –alarm methods for planes - ways of protection the place of fire. Forest District Offices has its own basis of hand fire- fighting equipment and cars, which are necessary during the fire.

56. From 1998 to 2008, in the areas of Bielsko- Biala district there were 36 wildfires. The main reason of them was arson. These fires took place during the periods of early spring and summer. Data on losses and costs

58. The list of fires from 1998 to 2008: YEARQUANTITYSURFACE - ha 199851,73 199941,65 200053,30 20110,07 200272,90 200385,56 20040- 20050- 200611,00 200751,06 20080- IN TOTAL3617,27

59. Factual losses connected with wildfire are estimated at 10000 Euro per 1 ha of forest (without the costs of rescue action and burnt property). During the last 10 years, in the area of Bielsko- Biala district, there were no losses of human lives It is difficult to estimate how many animals suffered from wildfires.

60. Composition of tree species in forests depends on kind and character of habitat. In terms of forestation after the fire, trees are planted. It reduces fire risk of forests. “Rules of forest husbandry” (defined by General Directorate of National Forests) describes detailed rules of reconstruction of forest surfaces. Time of forest reconstruction after the fire should not be longer than 5 years. Practically, these activities start immediately after the fire. Policies to reconstruct and incentives

62. natural disasters, the costs of reconstruction can be incurred partially by financial means from grant of: National budget National Fund of Environment Protection Grant from European Union Insurance companies in Poland do not insure forest areas against wildfires.

63. Starostwo Powiatowe w Bielsku-Bialej ul. Piastowska 40, 43-300 Bielsko-Biala, www.powiat.bielsko.pl THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION Beata Bialka Adam Caputa Daria Dubiel Aleksander Radkowski Miroslaw Szemla