Prime Minister Donald Tusk has declared that any Polish citizen committing arson at the behest of foreign intelligence services should be considered guilty of treason. This statement comes in the wake of a significant wildfire in Biebrza National Park, which has consumed approximately 450 hectares of protected land.
Speaking during a briefing with Interior Minister Tomasz Siemoniak and emergency services in Grzędy, near the affected area, Tusk emphasized the severity of such acts. “If a Polish citizen decides to commit arson on the orders of foreign services, for money, it must be treated as an act of treason. This is beyond discussion,” he stated.
While authorities have not confirmed that the Biebrza fire was a result of deliberate arson, the incident has prompted the government to address the broader issue of intentional fires. Tusk acknowledged that “we are still dealing with foolish, deliberate arsons,” often linked to practices like grass and meadow burning.
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🚨 Massive wildfire in Biebrzański National Park, Poland—400 hectares burned & still spreading. 240 firefighters battling tough terrain.
— Poland 24 🇵🇱 (@poland24com) April 21, 2025
Biebrzański National Park is Poland's largest wetland, vital for biodiversity. It supports rare birds, elk, and beavers, while serving as a… pic.twitter.com/xttonaaOqa
The Prime Minister announced that the Council of Ministers would discuss new regulations concerning arson during its Tuesday session. He highlighted the need for stricter penalties, noting that “everything that bears the hallmarks of deliberate arson or obvious, unforgivable stupidity will lead us to introduce new rules.”
Tusk also pointed out that the ongoing drought conditions have heightened the risk of fires across nearly the entire country. “We all need to learn greater discipline, and sometimes a higher penalty makes the need for discipline more apparent,” he remarked.
This stance aligns with previous government actions addressing foreign-influenced sabotage. In May 2024, Polish authorities arrested nine individuals accused of carrying out acts of sabotage, including arson, on behalf of Russian intelligence services. These incidents underscore Poland’s vulnerability to foreign interference, especially given its strategic position as a support hub for Ukraine.
As firefighting efforts continue in Biebrza National Park, with over 160 firefighters and 31 vehicles involved, the government remains vigilant against both domestic and foreign threats to national security and environmental integrity.
