Kuffa: Environment Ministry to Renew Fire Training Exemption in National Parks

Bratislava, May 5 (TASR) - An exception allowing fire training in national parks expired in 2022, and the Environment Ministry now plans to reintroduce drills at all national parks, ministry State Secretary Filip Kuffa has stated on social media in connection with Saturday's fire in the Tatra National Park (TANAP). "After the tragic events of recent days, in which a large forest fire broke out in the Tatras, it's absolutely clear that systematic preparation for such situations must not be neglected," said Kuffa. According to him, the absence of training in national parks is a serious problem. "It was a mistake not to renew this exception, and that needs to be changed urgently," he stated, adding that if something isn't rehearsed, it makes taking action at the scene all the more difficult. Kuffa also explained that the Environment Ministry will soon commission the development of a fire-prevention project and reassess the condition and availability of forest infrastructure, including access roads. "TANAP has previously highlighted the need to make certain forest roads accessible to emergency equipment, but we often face strong public opposition. However, today's experience shows that nature conservation and safe access when action needs to be taken can't be mutually exclusive. We must be able to act quickly, effectively and professionally in emergencies," he stated. A fire broke out in the Bobrovecka Valley (Zilina region) in the Western Tatras on Saturday (May 3) afternoon. The blaze started in an unharvested storm-damaged area under the third level of protection. Firefighting efforts were hampered by the difficult-to-access terrain. lin/df