Number of Forest Fires in Siberia up 50 Percent
Number of Forest Fires in Siberia up 50 Percent
23 April 2011
published by www.bernama.com
Russia — The number of forest fires in Siberia has been up 50 percent over the past 24 hours — from 28 to 43, the press service of the Siberian regional center of the Emergency Situations Ministry told Russian news agency, Itar-Tass.
By Saturday morning the fires had affected 968 hectares. Another 18 trouble spots measuring 274 hectares in area were localised. There is no threat to communities.
“Nevertheless, all forces and means available to rescuers are in full readiness,” the press-service said.
“Over the next day there may be an increase in the number of forest fire spots and in the area of forest fires in the Trans-Baikal, Krasnoyarsk and Altai territories, Buryatia, Khakassia, Tyva and Altai, as well as in the Novosibirsk and Kemerovo regions,” the Emergency Situations Ministry center warned.
Particularly disturbing is the situation in two Siberian regions. Rescuers predict high risks in 20 districts of the Altai Territory and in 14 regions of Trans-Baikal territory.
Currently, 755 rescuers and 118 vehicles ARE involved in fighting the existing hotbeds of natural fires.
