Number of forest fires decreases in Kostanay region

Since the beginning of the fire-hazardous season in the Kostanay region, five forest fires have been recorded, encompassing a total area of 30.7 hectares. It is noteworthy that the forested area has not been affected. During the same period last year, there were 33 forest fires with a total area of 295.6 hectares, Kazinform News Agency reports.

According to the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management of Kostanay region, the reduction in the number of fires can be attributed to the preventive measures that have been implemented and the substantial increase in forestry financing, which has grown from 1.3 billion tenge in 2021 to 6 billion tenge this year. In addition, the number of employees has also increased.

“From 2023, the number of forestry employees has increased 1.5 times to 1,230 people. The forest fire stations are fully staffed and work year-round. Due to the establishment of additional payments for life-threatening work, wages have been increased. From July 2023, it has risen by 100%, additional payment was offered to forest guards (892 million tenge allocated for 495 people),” Head of the Department, Nurlan Katarbekov, said.

The renewal of equipment also helped reduce the number of fires. In 2023, the government allocated 2.3 billion tenge for the purchase of 11 fire engines, 57 tractors, and 29 units of motor vehicles. Furthermore, the acquisition of 22 fire engines, 12 tractors, and 11 small forest firefighting complexes for the Kostanay region is projected to cost 1.9 billion tenge under the leasing program facilitated by the Industrial Development Fund.