Forest Fires Gradually Dying Away In Russian Far East
Forest Fires Gradually Dying Away In Russian Far East
24July 2005
publishedby ITAR-TASS
Khabarovsk — Only 15 forest fires continue raging in the Russian Far East, including seven fires in the Primorye Territory and five in Yakutia. Fires were put out in most regions in the Far East, Tass learnt on Sunday at the regional forest protection aviation base.
Cyclones with heavy rains became allies of taiga guards in the middle of the summer: fire is gradually dying away. The area of burnt-down forests increased only by 30 hectares over the past 24 hours.
More than 140 people work in fire zones. Five planes and helicopters make patrol flights and bring people to seats of fires.
Specialists of forest services noted that fire damage increased manifold this year as against 2004: nearly 140,000 hectares of forest and adjacent areas burnt down in the Russian Far East since the start of the season, while the figure stood at 30,000 hectares last year.
