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Fog in Bratsk is thinning, no new fires registered on Wed

Measurements of the concentration of hazardous substances in the air are taken every six hours

KRASNOYARSK, October 6 (Itar-Tass) — Smog from fires that has been irritating people in Bratsk (Irkutsk region) is thinning. There are no active fires in the city. No new outbreaks of fire were registered on Wednesday. The situation is stabilising, according to the Russian Emergency Situations Ministry (EMERCOM).

“Measurements of the concentration of hazardous substances in the air are taken every six hours. On Wednesday they were taken by two mobile stations in 13 spots of atmospheric air sample taking. According to the results of recent measurements, the concentration of harmful substances does not exceed the maximum allowable level,” the Siberian regional EMERCOM centre told Itar-Tass.

Meanwhile, there are three fire spots in the Bratsk district on Thursday at an area of ··786 hectares, all of them have been localised. The number of fires has decreased by seven, and their area – by 52 hectares. “Three emergency response teams - 15 people each have been formed in order to promptly respond to emerging fires. A total of 719 people and 79 vehicles have been involved in the fire extinguishing efforts and patrolling the forests. A group of five aircraft of the Russian Emergency Situations Ministry: two MI-8 helicopters, one MI-26 helicopter and two Iluyshin Il-76 planes is deployed in the region,” the EMERCOM added.

According to earlier reports, as many as 13 criminal cases were opened in the city of Bratsk, Irkutsk region, over recent forest fires, and 62 persons were detained on suspicion of being involved in arson, a spokesman for the Russian Interior Ministry’s public order department said on Wednesday. “Sixty-two persons were detained for violating the fire regime,” the spokesman said. “Apart from than, police are taking effort to expose and bring to responsibility those who were behind setting fire to trees, bushes and grass.”