Georgia’s Environment Ministry urges caution as fires linked to negligence

Authorities in Georgia have urged the public to exercise caution following a series of forest fires recorded in the Kakheti, Kvemo Kartli, and Mtskheta-Mtianeti regions over the past week.

The Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture suggested on Monday that human negligence could be responsible for the blazes and called on people to follow safety regulations when in forested areas.

“Any negligence and violation of safety norms that cause a forest fire will result in a fine,” the ministry warned, adding that severe cases could be treated as criminal offenses. Under Georgian law, individuals found guilty of deliberately setting forest fires face prison terms ranging from four to eight years.