Forty thousand hectares of forests ravaged by 342 fires in Russia

As compared to last week, the area engulfed by the fires has increased by 14,000 hectares, Russian Ministry for Emergency Situations said. Dry weather and high winds facilitate the spread of fires in most regions.

The strongest fires are reported from the Chita, Sverdlovsk and Tyumen regions and from the republics of Komi and Yakutia. Forest fires are raging in the Khanty-Mansi autonomous region.

Nearly three thousand foresters are fighting the fires and local inhabitants are helping them. Twenty-six helicopters and airplanes are engaged in fire fighting from the air.

Along with that, the source in the Ministry for Emergency Situations said, ¡°The fires pose no threat to residential areas, sanctuaries and potential dangerous facilities.¡±

Source: Agencies