What changed
2026-08-15 17:27 UTC → 2026-08-16 13:11 UTC ·
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At the end of July 2026, Czech fire services issued a national alert highlighting heightened danger of agricultural fires. The warning detailed conditions that increase risk during harvest and storage, urging farmers to keep crop moisture below 16% and maintain equipment. The Agrarian Chamber noted that large fires can degrade soil structure and reduce fertility for years, citing 2023 statistics of 1,581 agricultural fires causing 354 million CZK in damages. On 3 August 2026, the Hejtman of the Central Bohemian Region extended the alert to the entire region, imposing a formal fire-risk period starting 1 August. Local officials, including the municipality of Pňov-Předhradí, called on residents to avoid open flames and follow safety regulations to prevent forest and field fires. By 10 August 2026, extreme drought and strong winds triggered multiple fires across Central Bohemia, complicating harvest activities. In Borotice, a third-degree fire alarm was issued as flames spread rapidly through a field and grass area, requiring dozens of rescuers. Other incidents occurred near Podlesí u Příbrami, Volenice, and Vickovice, involving stubble and roadside ditches. In response to the ongoing risk, Regional Governor Petra Pecková declared a period of increased fire danger. Current restrictions include bans on lighting fires near forests or fields, using pyrotechnics, releasing sky lanterns, and driving motor vehicles on field and forest roads, though exceptions are made for agricultural machinery. By 14 August 2026, fire incidents expanded across the Czech Republic and Slovakia. In the Czech Republic, a housebot fire on the Orlík water surface caused a serious injury to a senior citizen, requiring helicopter medical evacuation, while a residential fire in Karviná led to the evacuation of 16 people. A 0.3-hectare forest fire was also reported in Úsobrno. Simultaneously, firefighters in Slovakia have been battling multiple forest fires. In the Súľovské skaly region of Bytča, professional and volunteer units are using drones and Black Hawk helicopters to combat a large blaze in difficult terrain, reportedly caused by the “mishandling of open flames”. Other significant Slovak incidents include a fire at Kojšovská hoľa near Gelnica, which was brought under control, and a 1.2-hectare fire in the High Tatras near Popradské pleso. In the Czech Republic, a fire in the Obřany district of Brno destroyed six cottages, resulting in an estimated 5 million CZK in damage.