Wildfires in Belarus are expected to increase particulate matter pollution in Lithuania, particularly in the south, where residents have reported the smell of burning, the National Public Health Centre said.
According to the Varėna district municipal administration, a fire near the border with the village of Šeivėnai broke out at about 16:50 Saturday and spread as smoke drifted toward the villages of Kabeliai and Kapiniškiai.
Overnight, the fire crossed into Lithuanian territory, where it was extinguished by crews from the State Forest Enterprise and the Fire and Rescue Department. The blaze on the Lithuanian side was brought under control by 06:00 Sunday, though firefighters remain at the scene to monitor conditions.
The municipality said the fire in Belarus is still active, with smoke affecting the villages of Šeivėnai, Paščiai, Kabeliai, Marcinkonys, Margionys and Skleriai as it moves toward Druskininkai. Authorities said there is no immediate danger to residents but advised limiting time spent outdoors.
The Fire and Rescue Department said that due to a lack of information from Belarusian authorities, the exact scale of the fire and the materials burning remain unclear.
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