Wildfires

Wildfires - Siberia - Update

The area of wildfires in the Zabaykalsky Krai in eastern Siberia has started growing again because of dry and windy weather and reached 14,100 hectares, the region’s forestry ministry said on Friday, TASS reports.

"As of 8am local time, 30 wildfires are blazing in the region on an area of 14,100 hectares. Ten of them have been localized in an area of 5,500 hectares. A total of 940 people are extinguishing fire, including 239 parachutists. Also, 170 equipment units have been employed in the work," the ministry said.

Wildfires are registered in 10 regions of the Zabaukalsky Krai, where forests have been blazing since March 19. Strong winds fanned fires, and they struck residential areas in several areas. More than 200 houses in 18 settlements were damaged.