Wildfires burn 239,200 hectares of land in Mongolia so far this year
08 May 2019
Published by http://www.xinhuanet.com
MONGOLIA – ULAN BATOR, May 8 (Xinhua) — A total of 48 forest and steppe fires have been recorded across Mongolia so far this year, the country’s National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said Wednesday, noting that the wildfires have burned 239,200 hectares of land.
The NEMA noted that discarded cigarettes and open fires were the main causes of the wildfires, warning citizens not to make open fires and not to throw cigarette butts on the ground amid current dry conditions.
To prevent forest and steppe fires, the country has imposed a ban on backcountry travel, hiking and other travel or recreational activities in areas covered with forests until June 10.
A total of 77 forest and steppe fires were recorded across the country last year, burning 568,600 hectares of land, according to the NEMA.
