1 Aug 2017 16:31

Forest fire area in Far East doubles over past 24 hours

KHABAROVSK. Aug 1 (Interfax) - Forestry services have been battling around 40 forest fires over an area of 25,100 hectares in the Far East's taiga in the past 24 hours, the press service of the Far East Federal District forestry department said.

A total of 11,500 hectares of forests were ablaze in the region the day before. Twenty-seven forest fires, most of them in Yakutia, are currently burning in the Far East. Fires have also been recorded in Chukotka.

More than 600 people and some 100 units of equipment, including aircraft, are involved in fighting the fires.