Fires Spread Over 44,000 Hectares In Russia Far East Taiga
RUSSIA: Fires Spread Over 44,000 Hectares In Russia Far East Taiga
Source: ITAR-TASS News Agency, 14 October 2001
By BorisSavelyev
Khabarovsk – The total area of burning forests has grown to 44,000 hectares inthe Russia’s Far East. Most of the fires are in the Khabarovsk territory, theFar East regional center for emergencies said. Forest fires have spread onanother 4,000 hectares over the past 24 hours, the center said.
Pilots of the local forestry air service daily report up to 15 new fireoutbreaks in the Amur region and the Maritime (Primorye) and Khabarovskterritories.
More than 800 firefighters and 150 units of various special vehicles andequipment are working at the sites.
There is no threat to populated areas and industrial facilities in the regionfor the present. Police established that people were to blame for 90 percent offires. Law enforcement agencies instituted 127 cases for arson, but only one ofthem was brought to court, as wrongdoers were not found in most cases.
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