Wildfire situation fully stabilizes in Russia - Rosleskhoz

MOSCOW. Oct 19 (Interfax) - The wildfire situation has normalized in Russia, the press service for the Federal Forestry Agency (Rosleskhoz) said on Thursday.

"Rosleskhoz has recorded an overall decline in the number of wildfires across Russia. The situation is stable. All existing forest fires have been contained, and fires burning on an area of 118 hectares will be extinguished in the near future," the press service quoted the agency's deputy head Alexei Venglinsky as saying.

A total of 587 wildland firefighters in the regions, 112 pieces of equipment and 14 aircraft are battling the forest fires.

"Fires are caused by violations of fire safety rules by the population and the spread of fire to forests from lands of other categories," the press service said.