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Kiev authorities say classes at schools should be suspended due to heat, smoke

Ukraine’s State Service for Emergency Situations said on Thursday that rescuers were extinguishing a coniferous forest fire that emerged in the Kiev region on August 31.

© ITAR-TASS/Vladimir Sindeyev

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New fire erupts at Chernobyl exclusion zone — Ukraine’s emergencies service

KIEV, September 3. /TASS/. The Kiev administration has recommended that schools in the Ukrainian capital suspend classes because of abnormal heat and smoke in the city, the press service of the city administration reported on Thursday.

"In connection with the spread of combustion products of fires that emerged in the 30-kilometer zone of the Kiev region and also because of the high temperature, the commission on ecological safety and emergency situations decided to recommend that the educational process at schools in the [Ukrainian] capital be suspended," the report said.

According to the press service, the academic day will be shortened on Thursday, and on Friday "the educational process will be stopped altogether."

In addition, to reduce the content of harmful substances in the air, entry of heavy vehicles to the capital will be limited on Thursday, deputy chairman of the city administration Pyotr Panteleyev said. He noted that the authorities asked vehicle owners not to use private cars, if possible. The watering of streets and courtyards in emergency mode will be organized in the city.

Ukraine’s State Service for Emergency Situations said on Thursday that rescuers were extinguishing a coniferous forest fire that emerged in the Kiev region on August 31. On September 1, it reported that another fire area had been discovered at the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone.

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