30 Apr 2020 12:58

Ukrainian firefighters extinguishing fire beds in Chernobyl exclusion zone, fire contained - State Emergency Service

KYIV. April 30 (Interfax) - The wildfires in the Chernobyl exclusion zone have been contained as of 7:00 a.m. on Thursday, the press service for the State Emergency Service of Ukraine said.

Rescuers are continuing to put out individual beds of fire, the remains of trees, and peat bogs, the press service said.

"The fires in the forests of the exclusion zone have been contained. As of 7:00 a.m. on April 30, teams from the State Emergency Service are helping the State Agency of Ukraine on Exclusion Zone Management extinguish smoldering embers in tree stumps, the remains of trees, and peat bogs in fire-stricken areas," a report posted on the organization's website said.

Heavy engineering vehicles of the State Emergency Service and the Ukrainian Armed Forces are being used to create fire barrier lines. A total of 207 people and 64 pieces of equipment, including 149 State Emergency Service staff members and 34 pieces of State Emergency Service equipment, including two helicopters, are being used in the firefighting efforts.

Wildfires have been contained in the Ovruch and Olevsky districts of the Zhytomyr region. Rescuers are also helping workers of the Slovechansky, Bilokorovytsky, and Olevsky forested areas extinguish individual fire beds in the fire-stricken areas. In total, 329 people and 66 pieces of equipment are involved in the firefighting efforts.