Low rainfall this spring heightens the risk of forest fires on and around Tomb Sweeping Day, when people burn joss money for the departed, the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency said yesterday.
Forest fires are most frequent from October to April, the agency said.
While honoring their ancestors on the holiday, people should only burn joss money in designated areas, be aware of forest fire risks and not use fire to clear weeds from around graves, it said.
Photo courtesy of the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency
Due to increased rainfall and public awareness campaigns, only 36 forest fires occurred last year, affecting 26.94 hectares, a record low in the past few years, it said.
However, most forest fires result from negligence, and with the Central Weather Administration forecasting low rainfall this spring, drier conditions could heighten the risk of forest fires, the forestry agency said.
Starting an unpermitted fire in a forest could result in a fine of up to NT$600,000 under Article 34 of the Forestry Act (森林法), and the offender could face three to 10 years in prison and be liable for compensation, it said.
People can check the areas considered at high risk of forest fires through the agency’s risk assessment system to reduce the possibility of fires, it said.
Forest fires can be reported to the agency’s hotline at 0800-000-930 or by calling 119, it said.
If the authorities confirm a fire in a public forest, the person who reported it could receive an award of up to NT$100,000, the agency said.
In addition, the first person to report a fire could receive a NT$5,000 reward for protecting Taiwan’s forests, it added.
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