Forest Fire in Eastern Poland Kills Pilot, Burns Over 200 Hectares
Major Blaze in Solska Forest: Incident Details and Response
Overview of the Incident
WARSAW, May 6 (Reuters) - A pilot was killed and more than 200 hectares of forest scorched after a firefighting plane crashed while battling a major blaze in eastern Poland's protected Solska Forest, the country's interior minister said on Wednesday.
The fire broke out on Tuesday afternoon near the village of Kozaki in Biłgoraj County.
Investigation and Suspected Causes
Authorities' Statements
There was no reason to suspect the fire was deliberately set, Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński told Radio Zet.
Environmental Conditions
"We're dealing with a very dry period. Forests and conifers catch fire very easily, and fire spreads very easily," he said, adding that police Black Hawk helicopters were deployed to contain the blaze.
Current Situation and Response Efforts
Firefighting Challenges
The situation remained serious, he said, with multiple fires in hard‑to‑reach areas, and the next few hours would be decisive in determining how the fire could be brought under control.
Fatal Plane Crash
One of the firefighting planes crashed in the area, killing the pilot, a spokesperson for the regional governor said on Tuesday.
Evacuation Plans
Kierwiński said there were no plans to evacuate nearby residents, noting the nearest buildings were four to five kilometers from the fire.
Proximity to Residential Areas
(Reporting by Barbara Erling, Pawel Florkiewicz; Editing by Bernadette Baum)
