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Some 600 hectares engulfed in wildfires in Siberia

Around 600 hectares of forests and steppe are engulfed in wildfires in Siberia

KRASNOYARSK, September 25 (Itar-Tass) — Around 600 hectares of forests and steppe are engulfed in wildfires in Siberia. The number of wildfires increased by seven over the past 24 hours, but the area in flames shrank by 15.5 ha.

There are now 21 seats of fire over an area of 591.5 hectares there. “Out of the total, 12 fires were localised over an area of 492 ha,” Itar-Tass learnt on Sunday at the press service of the regional centre of the Ministry for Emergencies.

All in all, 1,537 people and 395 units of machinery were involved over the past day in putting out forest fires and in conducting preventive measures.

Aircraft of the Avialesookhrana agency made flights for air patrolling. Planes and copters of the Siberian regional centre of the Ministry for Emergencies also rendered air support.

“The main reason for fires is the activities of local population. Therefore, police officers and workers of rural administrations call rallies of citizens in villages and towns to explain rules of conduct in forests and fire safety rules. Cinema theatres screen clips before feature films on rules of conduct in forests and fire safety rules,” the press service explained.

Besides, fire inspectors and foresters carried out 354 raids last day to detect cases of violation of fire safety in forests and compiled 23 administrative protocols. A total of 793 mobile and stationary posts were put up to limit the access to forests and for monitoring.

Five smouldering points which can develop into major fires, were also detected in Siberia by Sunday morning. As many as 125 people and 12 units of machinery were involved additionally to put them out.

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