Gelendzhik forest fire spreads into 118 hectares

KRASNODAR. Aug 30 (Interfax) - A forest fire in the beach town of Gelendzhik has quadrupled from 30 to 118 hectares, Gelendzhik administration head Alexei Bogodistov said on Wednesday.

"According to the Russian Emergency Situations Ministry's branch in the Krasnodar Territory, the fire has spread into 118 hectares. More than 80 vehicles and 441 men are putting it out," Bogodistov said on Telegram.

Branch head Oleg Valynkin told reporters "casualties and loss of homes have been averted. The situation is difficult but manageable."

"Aircraft are targeting spots of fire and putting out the flames," Valynkin said.

Two Mil Mi-8 helicopters dumped over 120 tonnes of water on the fire on Wednesday, according to the branch press service. The firefighting effort continues despite high winds of up to 30 meters per second.