Siberia_1
Two Siberian Cities Engulfed by Smokefrom Forest Fires
BBC Monitoring International Reports, May 9, 2003
Chita — Smoke from forest fires has been hanging since early morning over the major Siberian cities of Chita and Ulan Ude. Some 60,000 hectares of taiga are on fire in the Transbaykal region.
A total of 120 fires are raging in Chita Region, affecting an area of 54,000 ha, the Region’s natural resources directorate has reported. Fires have been brought under control on 29,000 ha.
A total of 115 fires have been recorded in Buryatia, with 6,000 ha of forestry affected there. The republic’s emergencies committee reports that fires have been brought under control on 3,000 ha.
