Emergency responders in Novosibirsk conducted raids on private properties, issuing penalties, following a drone sighting overhead during a ham event.
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Raids in the Dacha Communities of Novosibirsk: With Drones, Warnings, and Fines
In the dacha communities of Novosibirsk, MCHS is now patrolling and cracking down on violations. On May 2, inspectors took to the skies, launching drones to scrutinize violations, and handed out warnings to negligent dacha owners who defied the fire prevention regime.
One of the raids included an aerial inspection of the SNT in the Dzerzhinsky district. With a DJI Mavic 3 Pro drone in hand, Senior Lieutenant Sergei Karpov and his team zeroed in on violations 20 times over while transmitting data in real-time. While the drone was in action, MCHS employees communicated with plot owners, drove home the ban on burning grass and trash until May 12, distributed informative leaflets, and St. George ribbons. One dacha owner was caught burning branches - he was forced to douse the flames, an incident report was drafted, and the fine will be determined by the court.
According to MCHS records, fires in the region this year have already doubled compared to last year - thanks to the warmer winter and earlier spring. In April alone, over 1,400 fires were extinguished, most of which were dry grass and trash.
The previous fines for individuals have been significantly increased to 23,000 RUB, and for legal entities, they were boosted to 800,000. If the situation becomes dire, criminal liability comes into play.
Interestingly, the residents of Novosibirsk have grown more disciplined: the number of administrative cases for violations has nearly halved compared to last year. Nevertheless, the raids will continue until May 12, and MCHS reminds: aside from bonfires, trips to the forest and any work with open fire are prohibited.
In drone usage for fire prevention, MCHS increasingly employs drones to inspect dacha communities during fire-prone seasons (spring/summer). They primarily use drones for thermal imaging to detect smoldering fires, monitoring compliance with firebreak regulations, and mapping high-risk zones. Aerial surveillance can document illegal burning of waste/grass, blocked access roads or fire hydrants, and overgrown vegetation violating fire safety codes.
Common fire violations in Russia include failure to clear vegetation, improper use of open flames, and a lack of fire extinguishers or sand stockpiles. Fines for individual violations typically range from 2,000-4,000 RUB, while legal entities face fines up to 200,000 RUB. Regulatory actions encompass mandatory firebreaks (3–10 meters around properties), bans on dry-season burning (April–October), and public awareness campaigns on fire risks. Enforcement tools include automated alerts for at-risk regions and on-site inspections with drone support for hard-to-reach areas.
- The use of drones for fire prevention in dacha communities, such as in Novosibirsk, has become more prevalent during fire-prone seasons like spring and summer.
- Senior Lieutenant Sergei Karpov and his team, during a raid in the Dzerzhinsky district, utilized a DJI Mavic 3 Pro drone to identify 20 instances of fire violations while transmitting real-time data.
- Despite the increased disciplinary measures, including fines of up to 23,000 RUB for individuals and 800,000 RUB for legal entities, and the risk of criminal liability, the number of administrative cases for violations in Novosibirsk has nearly halved compared to last year.
- Crimes related to fire violations, such as burning grass and trash, are not just general news or part of crime-and-justice politics; they pose a significant risk and have already doubled in the Novosibirsk region this year compared to last year.
