Russia: Season of Forest Fires Starts in Russia
Seasonof Forest Fires Starts in Russia
published by ITAR-TASSNews Agency, May 5, 2004
ITAR-TASS News Agency, May 5, 2004
The season of forest fires has begun in the territory ofthe Russian Federation.
About 40 fires have already been registered in an area totaling 3,000 hectares,a source at the information department of the Russian Ministry for EmergencySituations told Itar-Tass on Wednesday.
The largest fire engulfed an area of 2,760 hectares in the Chita Region, asource in the Siberian regional center for emergency situations has reported.The local firefighters have yet to stop the spreading of the flames.
Most forest fires have been ignited by the campfires left burning byholidaymakers, the source said.
According to the ministry source, “The burning forest fires are posing nothreat to the populated localities or forest reserves”. Over 2,500 men havebeen mobilized to fight the fires. Aircraft are helping the firefighting efforts.
