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Area of wildfires in south Siberia grows by 230 hectares over last 24 hours

This year, the number of wildfires in the region has exceeded the average five-year number by 80%

KYZYL, September 1. /TASS/. The area of forest fires in south Siberia’s Republic of Tuva  has grown for 228 hectares over the last 24 hours, the agency of civil defense and emergencies told TASS on Tuesday.

Last week, Russia’s Forestry Agency Rosleskhoz took under special control the situation with wildfires in Tuva, where hot weather has set without rain. This year, the number of wildfires in the region has exceeded the average five-year number by 80%

"There are currently 21 wildfires on the area of more than 3,200 hectares," agency’s representative Aziyana Tau said. Forest fires are raging in the difficult terrain in eight regions of the republic. Tau said that 252 people and 38 units of equipment are fighting the fire. TuvaAvia aircraft are patrolling fire-prone areas and transport firefighters to the places of wildfires.

An emergency regime in the forests is in place in Tuva. "Going to the forests and doing anything there, including gathering berries, mushrooms, nuts and medicinal herbs, is strictly prohibited," Tau explained.

Sixty-six checkpoints have been set up at the entrance to the forests to monitor the observation of the emergency regime. "Those who violate fire-fighting measures will face administrative and criminal responsibility," Tau added.