A major wildfire is raging in the Carpathians and could get out of control: what tourists need to know

A forest fire in Zakarpattia has already spread across 75 hectares. Rescue workers and the air force are working flat out, but there is still a risk that the large-scale blaze could spread further. Find out what tourists should do in the disaster zone

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A large-scale forest fire has broken out in the mountains of Zakarpattia. The blaze has engulfed the Verkhniy Volovets Forest District, posing a serious threat to the region’s ecosystem. So far, the fire has destroyed around 75 hectares of forest, an area larger than 100 football pitches. The situation remains tense, as the rugged terrain is hindering efforts to bring the flames under control quickly.

Where is the forest fire in the Carpathians?

The main focus of the fire is in the woodlands near the village of Volovets — a popular tourist resort. An emergency response centre has been set up to tackle the disaster. Over 350 people and nearly 50 pieces of equipment have been deployed to fight the fire. As the fire is spreading rapidly across hard-to-reach slopes, rescue workers have deployed specialised aircraft.

The scale of the incident has necessitated the mobilisation of forces not only from the Zakarpattia region — units from Lviv and Ivano-Frankivsk regions have arrived to assist the local fire brigade. Eyewitnesses and journalists report that smoke from the fire is visible for miles, and the threat of the fire getting out of control is forcing the emergency services to work at the limits of their capacity.

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Is it safe to travel to the Carpathians at the moment, and what should tourists do?

If you were planning a hike or a holiday in the Volovets area or the surrounding mountain ranges, experts strongly recommend temporarily refraining from visiting these forested areas. In addition to the immediate danger from the fire, there is a high risk of poisoning from smoke fumes.

For those already in the region, it is important to closely monitor official announcements from the emergency services and local authorities. If you notice smoke, you must immediately leave the forest in the upwind direction (towards where the wind is blowing). If the fire has blocked your path, try to move towards open areas, bodies of water or roads. It is also strictly forbidden to light fires in the mountains at present — during the fire-hazardous period, even a single spark can trigger a new disaster.

Travelling to the mountains always involves certain risks, and these increase many times over in the event of natural disasters. For foreign visitors to Ukraine, having a reliable insurance policy is not only a basic requirement for entry but also a guarantee of financial peace of mind in unforeseen situations.

The Visit Ukraine portal offers specialised medical insurance programmes for foreigners, which include cover for emergency medical care and evacuation.

An insurance policy from Visit Ukraine guarantees round-the-clock support and access to high-quality medical services anywhere in Ukraine. You can take out insurance online in just a few minutes to ensure your stay in the country is as secure as possible, even in force majeure circumstances.

Remember! Ukraine is rich in natural attractions that are well worth seeing for yourself: from the Carpathian waterfalls to the underground labyrinths of Podillia. Ready-made itineraries allow you to visit the most interesting places in a single day or plan a full-fledged trip lasting several days. Find out more about the best tours to Ukraine’s waterfalls and caves from Visit Ukraine.

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