A large forest fire broke out on Tuesday, May 5th, near Kozaki in Biłgoraj County, Lublin Voivodeship, prompting a large-scale firefighting response.
Forest Fire Breaks Out
The fire erupted on Tuesday, May 5th, in a forest near the town of Kozaki (Biłgoraj County, Lublin Voivodeship). Firefighting operations are ongoing. The fire is located within the Józefów Forest District, at the intersection of three counties: Biłgoraj, Zamość, and Tomaszów – according to Captain Tomasz Stachyra, press officer of the Lublin Voivodeship Headquarters of the State Fire Service, speaking with Gazeta.pl.
Nearly 70 Fire Crews Deployed
Almost 70 fire crews were dispatched to the scene. At one point, around 300 firefighters were battling the blaze. Two helicopters from the Regional Directorate of State Forests were also deployed – one from Kielce (Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship) and another from Radawca (Lublin Voivodeship) – specified Captain Tomasz Stachyra.
Road Disruptions Reported
The incident has caused disruptions for drivers and residents. Some roads in the Józefów, Łukowa, and Kozaki area may be impassable. “We strongly advise against approaching the fire to observe it – this hinders the work of rescuers and endangers your safety! Please allow subsequent units to pass through smoothly,” the Biłgoraj County wrote on Facebook.
Starosta Warns of Rapid Spread
Andrzej Szarlip issued a statement. “I am in constant contact with emergency services. I appeal to avoid those areas and facilitate the passage of fire trucks! Provincial road 849 near Kozaki is closed to traffic. Extreme dryness is causing the fire to spread very quickly, and the fire is still not under control. Firefighters are doing everything in their power to contain the element,” wrote the Biłgoraj Starosta.
Edited by Kamila Cieślik
Edited by Kamila Cieślik.