In Poland, a major fire spread throughout a protected forest, destroying more than 200 hectares of land. While flying a firefighting plane, a pilot crashed amidst the blaze, killing him.
Major Forest Fire
The major forest fire in south-eastern Poland’s Solska Forest began on Tuesday afternoon, May 5, 2026, around 15:00 CEST. The fire started near the village of Kozaki in Biłgoraj County, within the Lublin province.
It has scorched approximately 250 to 300 hectares of protected forest, drawing an emergency response from over 350 firefighters and 85 brigades.
As of Thursday morning, May 7, the fire is reported to be contained but not yet extinguished. High winds and extreme drought conditions – with forest floor moisture levels as low as 6% – initially caused the fire to spread rapidly through the treetops.
While investigations are ongoing, the Polish interior minister noted there is no initial reason to suspect arson; the fire is believed to have started in a private forest area during a period of severe weather risk.
The Crash
A 65-year-old civilian pilot of a Dromader firefighting aircraft was killed on the evening of May 5, when his plane crashed while tackling the blaze near the village of Osuchy. The Aviation Safety Network reported it was a PZL M-18B Dromader, a single-engine, fixed-wing aircraft, which is specifically designed for aerial firefighting and agricultural work.
The aircraft was part of a major response team that included three planes and several helicopters. The pilot who crashed was described as a highly experienced pilot. Contact with the aircraft was lost around 20:00 CEST while he was conducting a water-dropping run over the Solska Forest.
Witnesses and officials reported that the plane was operating under extreme conditions, including heavy smoke that reduced visibility and strong, gusty winds. The fire was a ‘crown fire’, meaning it was spreading rapidly through the treetops, creating intense updrafts and heat.
The District Prosecutor’s Office in Zamość, in cooperation with Poland’s State Commission for Aircraft Accident Investigation (PKBWL), has launched a formal probe. Investigators are examining whether the crash was caused by a mechanical failure, atmospheric turbulence from the fire, or pilot error under high-stress conditions.
Deepest sympathies go out to those effected by this incident. For more information on incidents like this, follow Travel Radar to keep up-to-date.
