Saudi Arabia: Tough penalties set for bonfire violations

Cairo: Saudi authorities have outlined tough penalties for picnickers who fail to observe rules on torching bonfires in wildlife areas.

Violations are punishable by fines of up to SR50,000 and an obligation to repair resulting damage, Major Raed Al Maliki, the spokesman for the Saudi Special Forces for Environmental Security said, according to Okaz newspaper.

He urged picnickers going to outdoor areas to take all precautions to prevent the outbreak of fires and cause damage to vegetation. The precautions include avoiding torching fire near tree trunks and ensuring that the fire is completely put out before leaving the spot.

The warning comes as Saudi firefighters were in the final phase of extinguishing a massive blaze that erupted five days ago in a forest area.

The fire broke out in a rugged area in Jabal Ghalameh in Governorate of Tanuma in south-western Saudi Arabia.

Firefighters had to climb the inhospitable area after their trucks had difficulty reaching it. Firefighting efforts were also supported by aircraft.