ULAN-UDE, September 26 (Itar-Tass) —— The autumn wave of wildfires in Buryatia is growing.
“Over the past day, we have registered 15 wildfires, which occupy the area over 430 hectares, including 20 hectares of most dangerous crowning fire,” the republic’s forestry reported on Monday.
Most fires were caused by careless use of fire. Over 240 people – forest guard and locals – fight the fires. They use 50 heavy and firefighting vehicles. Fire paratroopers are involved in extinguishing of fires in three regions.
Since spring, there have been about 1,300 wildfires in Buryatia, which damaged or destroyed over 65,000 hectares of taiga.
Transbaikalia, which neighbours Buryatia, has announced an emergency regime, the local administration reports.
“Now there are nine wildfires in Transbaikalia, which occupy almost 740 hectares,” the regional administration said. Over 97 percent of the fires were caused by burning of grass at agricultural lands.
The mobile groups and stations stop individuals from going inside forests. Two Mi-8 helicopters patrol taiga massifs. Since early spring there have been almost 1,300 wildfires in Transbaikalia, which occupy 137,000 hectares.