A wildfire in Biebrza National Park, north-eastern Poland, has covered 450 hectares since breaking out, the Ministry of the Interior said on 21 April, as emergency crews continued attempts to bring the blaze under control using helicopters and an aeroplane.

The response involves 240 firefighters, 100 Territorial Defence Force soldiers, and staff from the forestry service and the park itself. The fire was first reported on the afternoon of 20 April, though the cause remains unknown.

By that evening, the affected area had already exceeded 60 hectares and continued to expand on 21 April.

“The fire-fighting operation is now focused on aerial measures due to difficult terrain,” Interior Minister Tomasz Siemoniak said on social media.

“There is currently no threat to the life or health of nearby residents, as the fire is at least five kilometres from the nearest buildings. However, the services are prepared to evacuate people if necessary,” Siemoniak also said.

Park authorities have closed hiking routes and educational trails in the affected areas.

Established in 1993, Biebrza National Park is Poland’s largest and protects extensive peat bogs, wetlands, and marshes along the Biebrza River.

The park is internationally known for its rare bird species, especially waterfowl and migratory birds, making it a popular destination for ornithologists and bird-watchers. Its largely undisturbed ecosystems also support moose, beavers, and unique plant communities.

However, climate change has altered temperature and precipitation patterns, increasing the risk of drought and fire in Biebrza and other important Polish habitats. The April rainfall anomaly in the are was at just 25% of the long-term average as of April 20, according to data by the Polish meteorological service.

The park experienced smaller fires in late March and mid-April. In 2020, a major blaze burned around 5,500 hectares—close to 10% of the park’s total area.