Wildfires engulf over 15,000 ha in Russia's Khabarovsk Territory

KHABAROVSK. July 3 (Interfax) - Nineteen forest fires on an area of over 15,000 hectares were recorded in Russia's Khabarovsk Territory over the past 24 hours, the territorial Agriculture Ministry said on its Telegram channel on Sunday.

"Nineteen wildfires were recorded in the territory, and the flames engulfed 15,360 hectares of forests. Two fires have been contained over the past day," the message said.

In total, 153 people and seven pieces of equipment were involved in the firefighting efforts, it said.

As previously reported, an emergency was declared in the Khabarovsk Territory once again due to the complicated wildfire situation. Weather forecasters do not promise any changes in weather that could ease the situation. Most of the forest fires are raging in hard-to-reach mountainous areas and require the constant transfer of fire-fighting forces over long distances and aviation assistance to fight them.

Individuals are prohibited from staying in the region's woodlands and vehicles are banned from entering the forests from June 29 to July 19 with the exception of those engaged in the protection of forests from fires and those using the forests based on their forest lease agreements, and their vehicles.

There is also a ban on staying in the forests located on the lands of the forest fund throughout the Khabarovsk Territory.